Thar’s Hindu Women Stage Protest Against ‘Cruel’ Anti-Encroachment Drive

People belonging to a so-called 'low-caste' Hindu community have held a demonstration in Sindh to protest the lop-sided anti-encroachment drive after their houses were demolished by the authorities in a Thar village.

The civil society and journalists in the area have also questioned the motives behind this anti-encroachment operation that has only targetted the poorer Bheel group. They said the authorities have turned a blind eye to the encroachments in the urban areas or the properties owned by the influential people, such as petrol pumps.

Reports suggest that the houses were demolished to facilitate the Rajputs, who are among the Hindu landed elite of the area. They claim a Rajput wadera (landlord) who works at the 'DC office' arranged the demolition to get the Bheels evicted.

According to reports, it has been 22 days but these people haven't been compensated yet. Police and local Pakistan People's Party (PPP) MPA are also helping the influentials, as they have refused to file a case against Rajputs. Whereas, a case has already been registered against the Bheel community.

To protest the injustice, a demonstration was held in Sindh, in which women were actively leading. However, the participation of women in the protest caused an ugly social media campaign allegedly spearheaded by the sympathisers of the Rajput community.