Thread by @SarahEleazar

The first protest I ever went to was in 1998 after Bishop John Joseph shot himself in protest against the blasphemy law, and I remember the streets rang with shouts of "ay c-yaan b-yaan band karo" (end 295-c and 295-b). In 2015, I asked Bishop Samuel Azariah why christians didnt

demand abolition of the law anymore and why asking for its abolition had become the same as committing blasphemy. Turns out that religious minorities in Pakistan were demanding abolition of this law up until the first terrorist attacks on churches in 2001.

After the Bahawalpur church attack, the Musharraf led government announced police protection for church services. With the caveat: if you turn against the govt, we will withdraw protections. Police protection didn't stop Youhanabad or All Saints Church attack but protests stopped

These folks have made an incredibly brave video on why the very use of blasphemy law is misuse of the law. Kudos to you all and please watch this and educate those need it.

#talkabout295c