: Temple Attack Caps Week Of Violence in South Asia

Sometimes it seems like religious harmony in the Indian subcontinent existed only during the colonial era. New attacks on Pakistani Christians and Gujarati Hindus by Muslim militants have increased tensions between religious groups in India (as well as keeping Indo-Pak relations at an all-time low), and have raised fears of a repeat of the communal violence that claimed the lives of over a thousand Muslims earlier this year in India. As usual, the respective governments turned to political jabs, with Pakistani police alleging Indian intelligence involvement in the Christian killings while India accused Pakistan of possible involvement in the Hindu temple massacre (although a previously unknown group has stepped into that fray). Despite these accusations, no proof of anything has surfaced, leaving the battle rhetorical for the moment. Meanwhile, Muslim groups on both sides of the Indus river have issued their condemnations. “We, the Indian Muslims strongly condemn the attack on innocent people and appeal to all communities, religious and political organisations to rise above their differences and thwart the ulterior designs of anti-national elements”, a resolution passed by various Muslim organisations said.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.