The Footage: A thread was posted by journalist Bilal Farooqi on Twitter, where footage was attached from a Lahori hospital. At first, a mob of angry nurses can be seen marching to the make-shift church with slogans. Upon reaching the church, another video emerges of them sitting inside and reciting ‘naats’.
Muslim nurses take over a church built inside a hospital in Lahore & recite naats. Threaten their Christian colleagues to file blasphemy cases against them if they don't raze it & convert. Then we have the gall to complain about Europe taking action againt us. Via Basharat Mughal pic.twitter.com ktphKvTt6
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) May 3, 2021
Background: The make-shift church is reportedly part of the mental hospital’s auditorium, where Sunday Service is offered by the Christian employees in the hospital.
Here is another video of these people. Listen to their slogans. Poison has spread far and wide in the veins of our society. Again video via Basharat Mughal on FB pic.twitter.com/kjzvxjAp1Y
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) May 3, 2021
Demands of the mob: The angry mob of Muslim nurses demanded that the ‘church’ be razed and the christian employees convert, or else ‘blasphemy’ cases would be filed against them. They also ordered hospital administration to fire all christian employees.
Actions taken: According to Azhar Mashwani, a correspondent of the CM Punjab’s office, the issue has been resolved and both parties involved have come to a compromise. He further clarified that this was part of the mental hospital that is used for Sunday Service by the Christian employees.
"Issue between both groups has been resolved and both parties have come to compromise.
Police and relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
This is auditorium of Mental Hospital which is used for Service on Sunday."— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) May 3, 2021
Reaction: Outrage has poured all over social media asking why no criminal charges are being pressed on these Muslim nurses.
A Twitter user said that this is a direct violation of the blasphemy law and Article 295-A.
Not only is this as a transgression of the islamic code that demands the Muslims to protect the minorities, this is literally a violation of Article 295-A. Will the blasphemy law be used to punish these nurses or is it only in place to silence minorities? https://t.co/XOb1Rw3Nqm
— Safia • صفیہ • सफीयह (@_safiamahmood) May 3, 2021
Another user questioned what the scenario would be like if the roles were reversed.
So no criminal proceedings against Muslim nurses? Imagine if Christian nurses had taken over a mosque! Shameful. https://t.co/DrrXZPCO1z
— The Donnie Darko (@TheDonnieDarko1) May 3, 2021
Activist Ammar Ali Jan commented on Azhar’s statement commenting how the government had failed yet again to contain extremist elements.
"Government failed to take action against members belonging to majority community who attacked victims belonging to a minority community. Victims were left with no choice but to compromise with the aggressors."
Fixed it for you. https://t.co/g2ejc7VgWl
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) May 3, 2021
Another user said this is exactly why the EU was right in reconsidering Pakistan’s GSP+ status over human right’s abuses in the country.
Those muslim nurses were bullying and harassing the christian nurses. Instead of providing justice to the christian nurses, the authorities asked them to 'compromise'. Phir kehtay hain ke minorities ko equal rights miltay hain aur saath main EU ke samnay rotay bhi hain. Kaisay?
— m loves spooky season (@naheinyaar) May 3, 2021
This is one of many cases of minority rights abuse in the medicine community in Pakistan. A few months ago, a nurse was beaten for reciting Christian carols in a hospital and accused of blasphemy.
Christian nurse is 'tied up and tortured by mob at Pakistani hospital after Muslim colleague falsely accused her of blasphemy' https://t.co/c39PgalPxO
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) February 3, 2021