Abduction and Forced Conversion of Hindu Minor Girls in Pakistan Sparks Outrage from Rights Groups
Islamabad/Badin, July 17: Minority rights groups in Pakistan have raised serious concerns over the abduction and forced conversion of underage Hindu girls, calling it a recurring and deeply troubling trend that continues to go unchecked in rural Sindh.
On Thursday, the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) issued a scathing statement detailing the abduction of 15-year-old Shaneela Meghwar, a bright ninth-grade student, who was forcibly taken at gunpoint from her home in Badin district's Matli town on June 23.
Nearly a month later, Shaneela remains missing. Her family says the police response has been indifferent, and the First Information Report (FIR) was registered only after community protests. Even then, the main accused, Maqsood Dars, was not named in the complaint.
"They Dragged Her Into a White Car"
Shaneela’s uncle, Majnu Maharaj, recounted the harrowing night when two armed men stormed their home, held the family at gunpoint, and dragged the teenager into a waiting vehicle that sped away into the darkness. The car, witnesses said, had two additional occupants, raising suspicion of a well-planned operation.
“Shaneela had dreams of becoming something through education. But her life was ripped away in minutes,” said Majnu in the VOPM statement. “Now, we only wait in fear.”
The VOPM alleges that the Matli police have shielded powerful suspects, failing to name or arrest those believed to be responsible. It emphasized the systemic nature of such crimes, especially targeting marginalized Hindu families in Sindh's rural areas.
Fear of Forced Conversion and Marriage
Rights advocates warn that Shaneela may face the same fate as dozens of Hindu girls in Pakistan every year — forced religious conversion to Islam and coerced marriage to Muslim men, often with state institutions turning a blind eye.
“The fear is real. This is not an isolated incident,” the VOPM said. “For minority girls, especially in remote villages, the threat of abduction is a lived reality. And justice, more often than not, is denied.”
Another Case: 14-Year-Old Kamla Kolhi Handed Over to Alleged Abductor
In a disturbing parallel, Shiva Kachhi, a leading Pakistani minority rights activist and co-chairman of the Minority Rights Organisation, revealed on Thursday that another Hindu minor, 14-year-old Kamla Kolhi, was handed back to her alleged abductor by the Additional Sessions Judge of Khipro Sanghar Court.
Kamla had been abducted three months ago, forcibly converted, and married to a member of the Machhi Muslim community. Despite her lawyer presenting a birth certificate (B-form) proving she is a minor, the court prioritized Kamla’s post-abduction statement, in which she claimed to have converted and married of her own free will.
“This is in clear violation of Pakistan’s own child protection laws, including the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act and federal legislation barring marriage without a CNIC,” Kachhi posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
He further added,
“It is extremely disappointing that despite strong legal safeguards, courts continue to ignore the age of the victims, and the burden of proof always falls unfairly on the families.”
Legal Loopholes and Social Pressures
Human rights lawyers argue that fear, coercion, and social pressure often force abducted girls to affirm their ‘consent’ in court — a phenomenon widely documented in minority abuse cases.
“Imagine being 14, surrounded by your abductors, with no protection, no safe space to speak the truth. That’s not consent. That’s institutional betrayal,” said a Karachi-based human rights lawyer who has handled similar cases.
In many instances, local clerics, political figures, or landlords are involved in shielding perpetrators, making it even harder for families to seek justice.
A Larger Pattern of Abuse
According to human rights reports, more than 1,000 girls from minority communities — primarily Hindus and Christians — are abducted and forcibly converted in Pakistan every year. Most are between the ages of 12 and 17, with Sindh province being a hotbed for such crimes.
Yet, despite national and international pressure, law enforcement agencies and courts have rarely delivered justice in such cases.
Social Media Uproar: #JusticeForShaneela Trends
As news of Shaneela Meghwar’s abduction spread, social media platforms were flooded with posts demanding justice. The hashtag #JusticeForShaneela began trending in Pakistan and India, with activists, celebrities, and ordinary users calling on the government to act swiftly.
Videos, posters, and solidarity messages continue to circulate, with many highlighting the broader issue of minority safety and legal accountability in Pakistan.
Call for Action: Rights Groups Demand Intervention
The Voice of Pakistan Minority, alongside other advocacy groups, is now demanding:
- Immediate rescue of Shaneela Meghwar
- Arrest and prosecution of all accused individuals
- Implementation of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act and federal child protection laws
- Greater accountability for police and judicial officers failing to uphold minority rights
“This is not just a legal failure, it’s a humanitarian crisis,” the VOPM emphasized. “Pakistan’s silence on these crimes reflects a deeper issue — the invisibility of its minorities.”
Conclusion: Will Pakistan Act?
As Shaneela's and Kamla’s families continue to fight for justice, the spotlight is now on the Pakistani state, its judiciary, and civil society. Will they rise to protect the vulnerable? Or will silence and inaction continue to define the plight of minority girls in Pakistan?
Until answers emerge, the cries for justice grow louder — from broken homes, crowded courtrooms, and across the digital world.