Hyderabad:
Conversion of three Hindu sisters and their male cousins - two of them minors – to Islam in Sindh’s Sanghar -District triggered a setback from the local Hindu community on Wednesday. Handling after urgent appeals from her parents to 13-year-old Hunain Kumar, 16-year-old Jiya, 19-year-old Disha and 22-year-old Diya, as well as the Hindu Panchayat, police in-law-in all four on Thursday and arrested the suspect allegedly responsible for the conversions.
The three sisters and their cousin had left home without informing their families on Wednesday morning. Later that day, they released video notices that they had accepted Islam of their own free will without coercion. They also claimed that they feared being injured by their families for their decision.
At a press conference, the mothers accused the siblings – visibly distressed and crying – a local computer teacher, Farhan Khaskheli, for brainwashing and abducted the children. “I want my son back. He’s only 13 years old and can’t understand religion,” said Hunain Kumar’s mother, broke down in tears. She appealed directly to Pakistan Peoples Party President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to help regain her son.
The girls’ mother also held Khaskheli responsible for the alleged conversion and abduction. “I have three daughters, and Khaskheli has taken them all,” she said through tears.
Rajesh Kumar, head of the Hindu Panchayat, described the incident as not only a family tragedy but a common. “These girls are not just daughters to Hindus – they are daughters to Sindh,” he said, showing their photos, questioning whether they were mature enough to decide to change their religion.
Kumar added that Hindu society had always lived in harmony with their Muslim neighbors and actively participated in Islamic festivals and local customs. He thanked civil society and politicians for their support and announced that Panchayat had held an emergency meeting in Sanghar on Wednesday.
Sanghar SSP Ghulam Nabi Keerio visited Panchayat during the meeting and assured the community with Swift Police Action. FIR was registered on the basis of the parents’ complaint.
