Bangkok, September 3: The case of a 21-year-old Hindu girl, Rita, has resurfaced amid growing concerns about the alleged persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan. Her reported abduction, forced conversion, and marriage have raised serious questions about the safety of minorities in the country.
According to media reports, the incident occurred in the Khairpur Tehsil of Sindh province. Rita, a resident of Rana Rajput Colony, went missing from her home on August 24. Her brother, Ravishankar, filed a complaint alleging that unknown individuals took her away.
The family informed the police that CCTV footage showed Rita leaving her home with several people. She was later reportedly taken to Gujranwala in Punjab province.
The complaint also alleged that Rita was pressured to convert to Islam and marry a man named Nazir Hussain, who is already married. This incident has sparked renewed debate about the safety and rights of Hindu and other religious minority communities in Pakistan, particularly concerning issues of abduction, coercion, forced conversion, and child marriage.
After being recovered by Punjab police, Rita was presented before a judicial magistrate on Monday. The investigating officer informed the court that Rita did not wish to return to her parents and requested to be sent to a government women’s shelter, Dar-ul-Aman.
However, Rita’s lawyers, Asad Jamal and Kheta Ram, opposed this, stating that she wanted to return home with her brother, who was present in court during the hearing. The magistrate then instructed Rita to give her statement under oath. Reports indicate that Rita clearly expressed her desire to return to her parents voluntarily.
In a significant ruling, the judicial magistrate granted Rita permission to reunite with her family. The court ordered that she be safely returned to her home in Khairpur district, Sindh province, under her brother’s custody.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan. Human rights organizations have consistently raised alarms over the alleged abduction, coercion, forced conversion, and marriage of girls and women from minority communities.
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