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| India-Pakistan |
| Hate speech probe opens against two clerics in Mashal case |
| 2017-04-18 |
| [DAWN] Police on Sunday opened a hate speech investigation involving two holy mans in connection with the killing of a university student over allegations he committed blasphemy. The holy mans are accused of attempting to disrupt the funeral of Mashal Khan, who was beaten to death by fellow students after a dormitory debate was followed by accusations of blasphemy being spread across the Abdul Wali Khan University campus in Mardan. University officials had issued a public notification hours before the murder naming three students being investigated for "blasphemous activities". Mardan police chief Alam Shinwari said 20 people had been identified as culpable in the killing on the basis of videos taken during the attack, adding that the suspects would be tried by anti-terrorism courts. Police say they are also investigating the holy mans in Mashal Khan’s hometown of Swabi for attempting to disrupt funeral proceedings and instigate hatred against his family. "The two holy mans [used]... the mosque loudspeaker for hate speech against the slain student and his family and ... created hurdles for the people and another holy man to participate in the funeral," said a senior Swabi police official. He spoke with Rooters on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted by hardliners. A local imam had refused to lead Khan’s funeral prayers on Friday, according to Swabi resident Salman Ahmed. A technician who was asked to do so in the holy man’s place was confronted by several people afterwards. Meanwhile, ...back at the chili cook-off, Chuck and Manuel's rivalry was entering a new and more dangerous phase... a large number of men and women erupted into the streets in the Zaida town, chanting slogans "Be Gunah, Be Gunah (innocent), Mashal Khan Be Gunah." Relatives and friends, political workers and representatives of civil society groups and the general public participated in the march. It was probably for the first time in the area that a large number of women, with their heads covered, took part in a mourning procession that turned into a public meeting at a square in the town. Floral wreaths were placed on the grave of Mashal Khan. People thronged the Hujra of the dear departed, offered Fateha and expressed solidarity with the grieving family. |
| Posted by:Fred |