Kasur, In a deeply troubling incident, twin Christian brothers Tabish Shahid and Kalu Shahid, both 18 years old, along with another Christian boy Abid, have been charged with blasphemy in the village of Kalay Wala, District Kasur, Punjab. The accusations stem from an event on the night of August 26, 2024, when the brothers allegedly tore pieces of counterfeit currency notes along with papers containing Quranic verses and scattered them on a village road.

The complaint was filed by Ghulam Mustafa Dogar, a local resident, at the Tha Sheikham Police Station. Mustafa alleged that the brothers’ actions had gravely hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims in the area, leading to the registration of FIR No. 731/24 under Section 295B of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to the desecration of the Quran and carries a potential life imprisonment penalty.

Local sources revealed that Tabish and Kalu, who come from a very poor and uneducated family, were at the shrine of Baba Ronaq Shah to watch the Urs (anniversary celebrations) and make TikTok videos. Unaware of the significance of the papers, the boys mistakenly tore up what turned out to be pages from a Quranic booklet, thinking they were wastepaper, and tossed them into the air, mimicking others who were throwing money.

The situation quickly escalated, leading to the police detaining the boys’ mother, Nazia Shahid, and a maternal uncle. They were held until the family surrendered the boys to the authorities. The arrest of the brothers has drawn significant attention, raising concerns about potential unrest in the area.

Another boy, Abid, was also arrested in connection with the case. His father, Pastor Saddique, took to social media to plead for his son’s release, emphasizing that Abid had recently undergone surgery and was not involved in the incident. He pointed out that as Christians, they do not participate in Urs celebrations, questioning the validity of the charges against his son.

In response to the incident, several Christian families in the village have fled their homes, fearing potential violence. Although the situation has somewhat stabilized following the surrender of the accused, concerns remain that Islamist groups might still target Christian residents.

Blasphemy accusations in Pakistan are highly sensitive and often lead to severe consequences, including mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and long, drawn-out legal battles. The law, particularly Section 295B of the Pakistan Penal Code, has been widely criticized for its harsh penalties and potential for misuse.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, expressed serious concern over the arrest of the young Christian brothers. “They are illiterate and did not understand the significance of those papers. It is alarming that such individuals are charged with blasphemy without understanding their actions. Just this month, at least four Christians and several others have been charged under Section 295B for desecrating the Quran or its contents.”

Saeed also highlighted that on August 11, Pakistani Christians protested worldwide against the continuous misuse of blasphemy laws. “This is the time for Pakistan’s politicians and government to take this matter seriously and save innocent lives. This is not the first time illiterate people have been charged with blasphemy, and many are still languishing in jail for years,” he said.

The Christian community still vividly remembers the Jaranwala incident, where at least 28 churches and hundreds of Christian homes were set on fire. Christians feel insecure and live in constant fear. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure their protection and justice.

The case of Tabish, Yeshua, and Abid underscores the precarious situation faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, where even a minor misunderstanding can escalate into a life-threatening situation. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for religious minorities across the country, highlighting the urgent need for legal reforms and protections for vulnerable groups.