Chacha Gokal Das, a 90 year old was brutally beaten until he was left bleeding - that too by a policeman.
His crime? Eating rice outside his home at 6.30 PM, exactly 40 minutes
before iftaar, the ceremonial daily end of the Islamic fasting period.
After aggressive campaigning on social media by Indian and Pakistani
influencers on social media, the policeman who beat him up was arrested,
Bakhtawar Bhutto, daughter of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan
Benazir Bhutto wrote on Twitter.
The policeman named Ali Hassan was reportedly arrested on charges of
torturing and injuring Gokal Das. The complaint was filed by Vindod
Kumar, grandson of victim Gokal Das. It was after social media outcry
that local Inspector General Sindh A.D. Khawaja took notice and ordered
immediate action.
According to Ehtiram-e-Ramadan (Respect for Ramadan), a law passed by
Pakistani dictator Zia ul Haq, it is illegal to drink or eat in public
during Ramadan, no matter what religion you belong to.
There have been reports of vigilante violence against minorities who break this law.
There is currently an online campaign to crowdfund relief for Das and his family.