On February 12, 2024, Faisalabad witnessed rising tensions as Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, a Christian resident of 211 RB Jaranwala District, was arrested under the blasphemy law, section 295B. The arrest was based on allegations of desecrating the Holy Quran.
The complaint leading to Bhatti’s arrest was filed at Khurianwala Police Station, District Faisalabad, by Susan Fatima on February 10, 2024. Fatima accused Bhatti of forcefully entering her house, assaulting her, and disrespecting the Quran, reportedly due to her family’s conversion to Islam approximately eighteen months earlier.
In response to the arrest, local police have increased their presence in the area to maintain peace and order. The Christian community remains in a heightened state of fear and anxiety, particularly recalling the violent attacks on churches and Christian houses in Jaranwala last August, related to blasphemy accusations against two other Christian individuals, Rocky and Umair Saleem.
Younis Bhatti, a widower with three sons and two daughters, is recognized in the community for assisting Christian families in acquiring land with government cooperation. The land currently occupied by Fatima’s family is claimed to be his property. Pastor Alam from the local church expressed skepticism regarding the blasphemy charge against Bhatti, suggesting it might be a fabricated claim linked to a land dispute. He urged a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth and highlighted concerns about the potential misuse of blasphemy laws in personal conflicts.
This incident has not only heightened apprehension within the Christian community in Faisalabad but also reignited debates about the application of blasphemy laws and their impact on minorities. There are growing calls for a fair and unbiased investigation to ensure justice and uphold the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.
