Karachi Shocked as Hindu Woman and Minor Daughter Abducted; Family Fears Forced Conversion
Representational image | Credit: Reuters via thedailyjagran.com/
A fresh wave of panic and anger has swept through Sindhi Mohalla in Sher Shah, Karachi, after a Hindu woman identified as Rani and her minor daughter were abducted by unidentified armed men on Saturday. The incident has intensified long-standing fears among minority communities in Sindh over rising cases of kidnappings, forced conversions, and coerced marriages targeting Hindu women and girls.
According to the family, three armed men dragged Rani into a white Alto moments after she stepped out of her home. Her minor daughter, who was with her at the time, was also taken. Both remain missing, and the family fears the worst.
Family and Activists Fear Forced Conversion
Civil rights activist Shiva Kaachi, who works closely with Hindu families across Sindh, said the situation is alarming and reflects a dangerous pattern seen across the province. He confirmed that an FIR has been registered but said the family fears Rani may be forcibly converted to Islam and married off to one of the abductors.
Kaachi said such cases are becoming increasingly common, with young girls and married women allegedly abducted, converted, and married off to much older men. He urged senior police officials to intervene immediately and ensure the safe recovery of the mother and child.
Another Attempted Abduction Reported the Same Day
Later that same day, a second incident was reported in Umerkot, where armed men attempted to seize a newlywed Hindu woman named Bhagvi. She was travelling with her husband when the abductors stopped their vehicle. Local residents intervened quickly, forcing the attackers to flee and preventing what could have been another forced conversion case.
Community members say these back-to-back incidents show the severity of insecurity faced by minority families in Sindh, particularly women and girls.
A Pattern Repeated Across Sindh
International human rights organisations have documented a systemic pattern of abductions and forced conversions in Pakistan. UN Special Rapporteurs and global rights bodies have repeatedly highlighted the dangers faced by Hindu, Christian, and Sikh girls, many of whom are minors.
A report by the US-based Global Hindu Temple Network estimates that nearly 1,000 minority girls are abducted and forcibly converted every year. The case of 15-year-old Mehak Kumari, who was threatened with beheading after reporting her coerced conversion, remains one of the most widely referenced examples of the brutality involved.
Activists say the persistence of such crimes points to administrative failure and widespread impunity for perpetrators, especially in rural Sindh.
Our Thoughts
The abduction of Rani and her young daughter once again exposes a disturbing and sustained pattern of violence faced by minority families in Pakistan’s Sindh province. These incidents are not isolated; they reflect systemic issues involving weak law enforcement, delayed investigations, and a lack of accountability for those who carry out forced conversions and coerced marriages. The fact that another attempted kidnapping took place on the same day highlights the severity of the threat, especially for young Hindu women.
For years, local activists and international organisations have raised alarms about the growing number of minority girls disappearing under similar circumstances. Yet, despite repeated appeals, strong preventive measures remain missing. It is crucial for authorities to act swiftly, ensure the safe rescue of Rani and her daughter, and implement stronger legal protections to prevent further attacks. TheTrendingPeople.com will continue to follow this developing story closely and report updates as they emerge.
With inputs from agency.