The Bar Association of Multan, Pakistan on January 11, 2020 passed a resolution barring non-Muslim lawyers including Ahmadis to participate in the elections of the Bar Council in the city.
This resolution was presented by the advocates of the District Bar Association of Multan. It requires advocates contesting bar elections to submit an affidavit proving their faith in Islam. Pakistan has received a global backlash because of its oppressive regime against the minorities.
Pakistan has been known for persecution of minorities despite having constitutional provisions stating that non-Muslims have rights and are free to practice their faith. Amnesty International, a human rights organization says Pakistan’s blasphemy laws “are vaguely formulated and arbitrarily enforced by the police and judiciary in a way which amounts to harassment and persecution of religious minorities.”
In the backdrop of similar matters, the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 in India appears as an act which targets the largest minority of India i.e., Muslims. There is a direct link between the two incidents and the act which was formulated to protect minority interests is in reality leading to their persecution.
Author: Nandini Gandhi
