Pakistan March 25, 2014: The Supreme Court directed the Larkana district and sessions judge on Thursday to investigate into the attack on a Hindu temple, following the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran.

Hearing a suo motu case regarding the Larkana incident, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani observed that the state was duty-bound to protect the rights of minorities.

The court stated that the inquiry report should comment on the causes of the incident and the role of the law enforcement agencies in it, as well as identify the culprits and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future.

Pakistan Hindu Council General Secretary Deepak Kumar told the court that a few days ago a Hindu temple and Dharamshala in Larkana were attacked over some misunderstanding.

He said properties of Hindus were damaged over alleged desecration of the Holy Quran, adding that it was necessary that a judicial inquiry be ordered into the incident to ensure brotherly relations between Hindus and Muslims as well as preventing such incidents in future.

Forced marriages

Former MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar told the court that Hindu girls were being abducted and forced to convert to Islam for marriage.

The court stated that free-will marriages were common in both Hindu and Muslim communities, but they should not cause disputes.

The bench observed that the court protected free-will marriages, as it was one of the rights of adults, whether Muslims or non-Muslims.

Evacuee trust properties

The court was informed that various departments were making use of many evacuee trust properties for commercial purposes.

The bench directed the secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board to submit a detailed report in this regard.

Mission school

The court directed the additional advocate general to submit a report regarding the Young Christian Mission School at the Young Men’s Christian Association, which was handed over to a non-governmental organisation. Before that it was being run by the Church of Pakistan and then it was nationalised.

Access to temple

Regarding access to a Hindu temple at Tando Adam, Additional Advocate General Adnan Karim submitted a written statement on behalf of the secretary of the Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Department.

According to the statement, the historical temple “Amrapur Asthan, Prem Prakash Mandal, Tando Adam” was declared a protected heritage site.

He submitted that any objection to the declaration of a property as protected heritage site was to be raised within 30 days of the publication of such notification. Certain objections were raised and are under consideration.

He said the assistant commissioner of Tando Adam had proposed a separate approach to the Ashram, adding that the culture department had written to the deputy commissioner of Sanghar to furnish a detailed report, which would be presented before the advisory committee of the culture department.

To a query by the court, AAG Karim said the proposed approach to the Ashram would be constructed after the approval of the advisory committee. The bench granted him a week’s time to inform the court about the decision taken in this regard.

Construction near temple

Regarding construction under way around the pre-Partition Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir at Native Jetty in West Wharf, members of the Hindu community complained that it was difficult for them to visit the temple because of the construction.

The court directed the chairman of the Karachi Port Trust to submit a report by or before the second week of April regarding the land around the temple that was leased to a restaurant.