New Delhi, Oct 14 The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday sought the release of Sri Lankan Hindu youth Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted of blasphemy against Islam over a Facebook post, and called for justice to be served to him after Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court overturned his death sentence.
“Anojan Sivarasa should be released from jail and justice should be served to him,” VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal told PTI.
Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after being convicted of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over his comment.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed in a Facebook post that the verdict had been overturned.
Bansal said one-sided punishment would make a mockery of the law and encourage discrimination.
Separately, in a post on X, Bansal appealed to the Saudi Arabian government to ensure justice for Sivarasa and his family.
“We appeal to the Government of Saudi Arabia, particularly King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to reconsider Anojan’s death sentence and ensure justice to the Hindu youth and his family,” he said.
“Whether it is Pakistan, Bangladesh or Saudi Arabia, serious questions are bound to arise over the one-sided interpretation and blatant, unequal misuse of blasphemy laws,” he said.
“When the faith, deities and religious symbols of non-Muslims, particularly Hindus, are insulted, should the same laws and punishments not apply equally? Will only Hindus be held accountable under the pretext of Islamic beliefs and laws, while those who hurt Hindu religious sentiments continue to enjoy protection?” he asked.
Bansal also questioned the silence of secular forces and intellectuals across the world over “anti-Hindu incidents”.
“Hurting anyone’s religious sentiments is unacceptable, regardless of whose sentiments are involved. However, granting immunity to some while sentencing others to death is equally unacceptable,” he said.
He also questioned global human rights organisations and the United Nations on whether human rights and religious freedom are equal for everyone, urging the UN Human Rights Council to intervene.
“The global community is expected to demonstrate sensitivity towards equality before the law and the protection of Hindu faith and the human rights of Sanatanis as well,” he said.
Sivarasa, a migrant worker, was initially sentenced to five years in prison as well as a fine of three million Saudi riyals by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court over a comment he made on Facebook during an argument.
Although he promptly deleted the comment and posted an apology video, a screenshot of it was brought to the attention of his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his arrest in July.
The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, initiating frantic diplomatic efforts to seek clemency.
(PTI News)
