Lahore: A Pakistani blogger has been arrested for sharing a poem on social media about the harassment of women following a high-profile rape case in Kolkata, sparking widespread outrage. Asma Batool, based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was charged with blasphemy after posting a poem by Salman Haider on Facebook and reciting another poem on Instagram. The content, which highlighted the issue of women’s harassment, led to accusations from several clerics that she had insulted Allah.
Soon after, a case was filed against Asma, and she was arrested by the police on charges of blasphemy. The situation escalated when a mob attacked her house, and videos of the incident quickly spread across social media. Her family reported the attack to the police, stating that their home was nearly set alight and that they had been threatened with death.
While Asma faces charges, many have come forward in her support, demanding her immediate release. A journalist highlighted the situation on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Asma Batool has been arrested on charges of blasphemy for sharing poetry on social media – believe it or not, this is Pakistan.”
Asma Batool, known for her activism on social media, has a large following and has frequently voiced her concerns about the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. One user on X wrote, “I can’t wait to find out how this is considered blasphemy. It’s disgusting and I really don’t understand how we can turn this around.”
Human rights activist Gulalai Ismail also condemned the arrest, stating that blasphemy laws are now being used as a tool to silence dissent. “The blasphemy law has become the new sedition law,” she remarked, reflecting growing concern about the misuse of these laws to target those who speak out.
This case has sparked intense debate in Pakistan about freedom of expression and the misuse of blasphemy laws to curb dissenting voices, with many calling for a review of the legal framework. As the controversy continues to unfold, the world watches closely to see how Pakistan responds to this mounting pressure.
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