August 2, 2024: In a controversial legal decision, Muhammad Yasin Machhi, the central figure behind the devastating Jaranwala riots, has been granted bail by Pakistani courts. Yasin's inflammatory announcement via mosque loudspeakers incited violence that led to the destruction of 26 churches and hundreds of Christian homes, sparking widespread outrage among Pakistan's Christian community.
Shabbir Shafqat, Chairman of the National Christian Party, has vehemently condemned the court's decision to grant bail to Yasin Machhi. He recounted the harrowing events of August 16, 2023, when Yasin falsely claimed that Christians had desecrated the Holy Quran. Instead of alerting authorities, Yasin used the mosque's loudspeaker to urge Muslims to attack Christians, leading to an unprecedented wave of violence.
"Yasin's call to action through the mosque's loudspeaker mobilized a mob that razed more than 24 churches and hundreds of homes to the ground," Shafqat said. "Thousands of Christians were forced to flee, abandoning their properties and cherished possessions. The destruction was swift and brutal."
The violent mob not only destroyed churches but also desecrated a Christian cemetery, smashing graves and erasing all traces of crosses. Personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, motorcycles, and essential utilities, were set ablaze. Many pregnant women were left to spend nights in the open fields under harsh weather conditions.
Shafqat highlighted the gravity of Yasin’s actions, noting that he was not prevented from using the mosque’s sound system, which he exploited to gather a mob of 2,000 to 2,500 people. Despite the strong charges against him, including multiple non-bailable offenses, Yasin was granted bail with surprising ease.
"This bail decision is a stark reminder of the deep-seated judicial inequities faced by minorities in Pakistan," Shafqat stated. "The FIRs filed against Yasin included twenty serious charges, yet he was released. Some elements within our own community might have played a role in this outcome, undermining the efforts of dedicated Christian lawyers."
Shafqat contrasted Yasin's case with that of Ahsan Masih from Sahiwal, who received the death penalty for merely sharing a text related to the Jaranwala incident. "A boy faces the death penalty for a minor act, while a man who incited extensive violence is granted bail. This is the reality of our justice system," he lamented.
Samson Salamat, Chairman of Tahreek e Rawadari, also expressed his deep concern over the bail decision. During his hunger strike campaign in front of the Punjab Assembly on August 10, 2024, Salamat urged all minority communities to stand together in the fight for justice. "This is a matter of life and death for us," he declared, inviting all minorities to join the protest.
The news of Yasin's bail has already spread, causing widespread distress among Christians who witnessed him freely roaming Jaranwala. The Christian community's response underscores their demand for justice and protection, highlighting the ongoing issues of religious intolerance and judicial bias in Pakistan.
Shafqat pointed out the double standards in the handling of such cases. He cited an incident in Germany where individuals who desecrated the Pakistani flag were swiftly deported. "In Pakistan, those who burn Bibles, churches, and Christian homes walk free. This disparity is a glaring injustice," he said.
He concluded by challenging the narrative that Christians live peacefully and enjoy justice in Pakistan. "The man who tarnished Pakistan’s reputation globally has been granted bail. This is not justice. This is a travesty," Shafqat asserted.
The bail granted to Muhammad Yasin Machhi has ignited a firestorm of protest among Pakistan's Christian community. As the nation grapples with this controversial decision, the call for justice and equality rings louder than ever, demanding an end to religious intolerance and judicial inequities.
