Peshawar: The Hindu community in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to pardon the mob that vandalised and burned down a century-old temple in the province. The local clerics and members of the Hindu community held a meeting to resolve the dispute.
As per the dialogue, informally called ‘jigra’, the accused have tendered an apology over the attack. The Muslim clerics have assured full protection to the Hindus and their rights as per the country’s constitution. A reconciliation statement would be presented to the Supreme Court, in a bid to secure the release of the accused. Speaking to the media, Pakistan Hindu Council chairman Ramesh Kumar said the incident had hurt the feelings of Hindus across the world.
Kumar, who is also a member of the ruling PTI, said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Mahmood Khan had chaired the ‘jigra’ meet and thanked him for the amicable settlement of the matter. Khan, in his address, had strongly condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to pollute the peaceful environment in the province. On December 30, a mob led by local clerics and members of the radical Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party vandalised the temple. Nearly 50 people have been arrested.
