Hindu farmer shot dead in Pakistan’s Sindh, protests erupt over minority safety
Islamabad: Amid rising concerns over violence against minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan has once again come under the spotlight following the brutal killing of a young Hindu farmer in Sindh province. The incident has triggered widespread protests and renewed fears over the safety and rights of religious minorities in the country.
The murder took place in Badin district of Sindh, where a 25-year-old Hindu farmer, Kailash Kolhi, was allegedly shot dead by an influential landlord over a land dispute. According to the police complaint, the incident occurred on January 4 in Piru Lashari Goth Daho village, under the Talhar tehsil limits. Sources said the assailants fired two bullets at point-blank range into Kolhi’s chest in broad daylight, killing him on the spot.
The accused has been identified as Sarfaraz Nizamani, a powerful local landowner. The killing has sparked outrage across Sindh, with protesters accusing authorities of failing to protect minorities from violence perpetrated by influential individuals.
Following the incident, large-scale protests erupted on the Badin–Hyderabad National Highway and the Badin–Thar coal road. Demonstrators blocked roads and staged sit-ins, demanding immediate arrest of the accused and justice for the victim. Protesters declared that they would not vacate the protest sites until concrete action was taken, resulting in hundreds of vehicles being stranded for hours and causing major disruption to traffic.
Community leaders and rights activists have stated that Kailash Kolhi was well known in the region for raising issues related to local community welfare and advocating for minority rights. Media reports suggest that his activism and the prevailing religious tensions in the area may have played a role in the attack, though police are continuing their investigation.
Protests are currently being led by Pakistan Darawar Ittehad president Shiv Kachhi, who has strongly condemned the killing. Taking to social media, Kachhi said, “We strongly condemn the brutal murder of the innocent Hindu youth Kailash Kolhi. His blood is demanding justice from all of us. We fully support the protest sit-in to be held in front of the Badin Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding the immediate arrest of the murderer.”
He further said the incident was not just the killing of one individual but an attack on humanity, justice and the fundamental rights and security of minorities in Sindh. “Our struggle will continue until the criminals are brought before the law and justice is delivered,” he asserted.
The killing has intensified anxiety among Pakistan’s Hindu community, which is already considered one of the most marginalised groups in the country. Rights organisations have repeatedly highlighted cases of forced conversions, land grabbing, violence and lack of legal protection faced by minorities, particularly in Sindh.
Observers fear that the continuing violence against minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh may be emboldening extremist and influential elements in the region, further worsening the situation in Pakistan. The incident has once again raised serious questions about minority protection, rule of law and accountability in Pakistan, with growing calls for decisive action to prevent further escalation.
