Tragic Incident at Kot Radha Kishan, District Kasur, 2014

On November 4, 2014, a horrifying incident unfolded in Chak No: 59, Tehsil Kot Radha Kishan, District Kasur, near Lahore, Pakistan. A young Christian couple, Shahzad and Shama, became victims of a brutal act of violence fueled by religious extremism. The couple, who had four young children—three sons and a daughter, all under the age of seven—and were expecting their fifth child, were falsely accused of burning pages of the Quran, a crime that carries severe consequences under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law, Section 295-B.

The accusation was a result of a conspiracy between the brick kiln owner, the accountant, and local Muslim clerics. On that fateful day, after the Morning Prayer, the clerics announced from the mosques of five adjoining villages that Shahzad and Shama had committed blasphemy by burning pages of the Quran. The call to action was echoed in other mosques across the region, inciting rage and summoning men from the surrounding villages to gather at the kiln.

A mob of nearly 3,000 to 4,000 angry villagers responded to the call. When they arrived at the kiln, they brutally beat the couple and paraded them naked before throwing them into the kiln, burning them alive. The savage act was carried out in full view of the community, as religious extremism overtook any sense of humanity or justice.

I-LAP’s Response

In response to this heinous crime, Chairman I-LAP Sajid Sandhu swiftly organized a protest in front of the Press Club in Islamabad on November 5, 2014. The protest aimed to denounce the brutal murder of Shahzad, Shama, and their unborn child under the guise of religious extremism. The protest served as a platform to raise awareness about the misuse of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws and the devastating consequences of unchecked religious fanaticism. Chairman Sajid Sandhu called for justice for the victims and emphasized the need for greater protection of vulnerable communities, particularly religious minorities who are often targeted under the pretext of blasphemy.

In the wake of the devastating incident at Kot Radha Kishan, the sealing of the brick kiln left Shahzad and Shama’s family in a dire situation. The two elder brothers of Shahzad, along with their families and the couple’s young children, were suddenly rendered homeless and deprived of all their personal belongings. With nowhere to turn, they sought refuge at the homes of relatives. However, accommodating so many people quickly became a significant burden for the host families. Recognizing the urgent need for support, I-LAP took immediate action to assist the displaced families. The organization stepped in to provide comprehensive relief to those affected. This included distributing food packages to ensure they had enough to eat, and delivering essential non-food items (NFIs) such as beds, bedding, clothes, and hygiene packs. These supplies were crucial in helping the families regain some semblance of normalcy and comfort during this challenging period.

In addition to the direct assistance, Sajid Sandhu, Chairman I-LAP, held a press conference to publicly denounce the savage act of violence and urged the government to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.  The press conference served as a platform to highlight the brutal nature of the crime and to call for justice. By standing in solidarity with the victims, I-LAP reinforced its commitment to addressing the misuse of blasphemy laws and advocating for the rights of religious minorities.

I-LAP’s actions were part of a broader mission to promote interfaith harmony and challenge the systemic issues that enable such violence. I-LAP’s efforts not only provided immediate relief but also aimed to foster greater awareness and understanding of the urgent need for legal and societal reforms to prevent such atrocities in the future. Through these measures, I-LAP demonstrated its dedication to protecting vulnerable communities and upholding human dignity in the face of extremism.

Initial Visit to Kot Radha Kishan Nov 7 2014

Protest Kot Radha Kishan Incident Nov 5 2014

Press Conference Nov 17, 2014

At I-LAP Office Islamabad

Distribution of Food and NFIs Nov 21 2014

Press Releases