As the country was celebrating Holi on Thursday 21 March, a family in Gurugram was being attacked inside their homes, according to reports. The family members who were playing cricket were asked to go to Pakistan and were attacked with lathis and bhalas.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring country of Pakistan, on the eve of Holi, 20 March, two minor Hindu sisters were allegedly kidnapped and forcibly married after being converted to Islam.
While the government of India is yet to condemn the Gurugram incident, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet that she has asked Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan to send a report on the abduction of Hindu girls.
This led to a war of words between Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhry who said it is an internal issue of Pakistan. He also took a dig at the Modi government and said, “It is not Modi’s India where minorities are subjugated.”
Sushma Swaraj hit back at him saying she only asked for a report and if that makes him jittery, it shows his guilty conscience.
‘Hindu Girls Not Safe In Pakistan’
Both Pakistani and Indian Twitter users too carried forward the spat. One Indian Twitter user criticised Pakistani actors, authors and activists for not speaking up against the abduction and conversion of Hindu girls.
Another said that Hindu girls are not safe in Pakistan and that there have been many cases of forceful conversion.
Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident and said “whether it’s India or Pak, lets ensure our minorities are safe and live dignified lives.”
‘Do Chowkidari For Your People’
Twitter called out Sushma Swaraj for not condemning the attack on the Muslim family in Gurugram yet. Do Chowkidari for your own country first, said one Twitter user.
‘Let Pakistan Tackle’
Some Indian Twitter users were of the view that Pakistan should tackle it and India shouldn’t interfere in the forceful conversion case. “Wonder how India would react if SMQ asked his High Commission here for report on Holi Gurgaon incident in which Muslim family was beaten by mob that got into their house?” Twitter asked.
Pakistanis React
There were also voices from Pakistan Twitter family. One Twitter quoted the Gurugram incident and said that Indian officials “seem to be busy being concerned about how minorities are treated across the border.”
Another Twitter user said she hopes the goondas are held accountable in India. “Pakistan is trying to ensure rule of law too,” she said.
This is Modi’s India, said another Twitter user from Pakistan.
On Imran Khan Ordering Probe
Some Indian Twitter users lauded Imran Khan for ordering a probe into the alleged conversion. “He didn't reward the culprit with a cabinet rank. He didn't politicise it for electoral gain. This is how one protects the citizens,” said one Twitter user.
The Joke That Is South Asia
Some twitter users rued at the fact that India and Pakistan have gone “bonkers.”
We keep laughing at each other while the entire world laughts us, said another Twitter user.
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