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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

'Kicked and punched': Sikh student tortured, turban forcibly removed in Pakistan

An Amritdhari Sikh girl was allegedly assaulted at a Christian school in Pakistan’s Faisalabad district, IANS reported, citing Khalsa Vox.

The report claims that the girl’s turban was forcibly removed and she was beaten after she refused to take part in Christian prayers. The incident reportedly took place at St. Catherine Girls High School in the Warispura area.

The girl’s mother said school staff kicked and punched her daughter in the stomach. She added that the girl suffers from asthma, but when her sister tried to help, teachers allegedly stopped her, saying the victim was pretending.

Sikh Brotherhood International, a community group, has condemned the incident and called for strict action against the school authorities.

The mother also alleged that she did not receive support from Sikh leaders in Pakistan despite asking for help. She has demanded action against those responsible.

Khalsa Vox further reported that the mother had earlier faced serious abuse. She claimed she was held captive for nine months in Faisalabad and was assaulted and tortured by her captors. During that time, she also alleged that her son’s hair, which is sacred in Sikhism, was forcibly cut.

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According to the report, the case came to light after a journalist highlighted it, following which Punjab’s minority affairs minister intervened and helped secure her release.

The incident has raised fresh concerns among Sikh community members in Pakistan, who are questioning the safety and treatment of minorities in the country.

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