Nationwide TV Present Dares to Painting ‘Blasphemy’ Violence in Pakistan
Muslim mob assaults dancer falsely accused of blasphemy in Hum TV drama, “Tan Man Neel o Neel.” (Christian Every day Worldwide-Morning Star Information screenshot)
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Every day Worldwide–Morning Star Information) – Church leaders and others in Pakistan lauded the producers and solid of a TV drama for risking their lives to broadcast an unprecedented, nationwide media portrayal of the violent injustice ensuing from blasphemy legal guidelines.
Within the ultimate episode of Hum TV’s drama sequence, “Tan Man Neel o Neel [loosely translated as “Body and Soul Badly Bruised”], knowledgeable dance workforce is acting at a marriage when an surprising video on a big display screen reveals one in all them, Sonu (performed by Shuja Asad) dancing at a venerable Sikh mansion. Quickly a Muslim, Kami (performed by Muhammad Usman Javed), who sneaked the video into view rises up and falsely accuses Sonu of dancing in a mosque within the video.
A flashback reveals Kami – who has designs on Sonu’s dance companion and love curiosity, the beautiful Raabi (performed by Sehar Khan) – plotting the premeditated assault together with his cohorts. Requested how they may assert that the Sikh home is a “holy web site,” Kami tells them, “By the point they work out if it’s a non secular location, the mob can have carried out their work.”
The following assault is one thing that has change into commonplace for Pakistanis however not one thing they’re used to seeing broadcast nationally, a lot much less with high-level manufacturing values. In slow-motion scenes set to doleful music, a frenzied mob takes justice into their very own arms and, and not using a trial or due diligence, kills the falsely accused “blasphemers.”
The sequence happens within the final 10 minutes of the ultimate, Feb. 15 episode of the in any other case extra light-hearted drama, leaving audiences shocked on the sudden flip of narrative and the portrayal of a delicate challenge that’s normally taboo. Many lauded the tragic ending for its highly effective message and relevance within the present digital age, particularly contemplating how typically such issues are misconstrued on social media.
“In a rustic the place mob lynching appears to have change into a norm, ‘Tan Man Neel o Neel’ is an alarming reminder of the risks of non secular extremism and false info,” stated Christian rights advocate Lazar Allah Rakha. “In bringing these painful realities to mild, Hum TV hasn’t simply delivered a murals but additionally initiated a necessary dialog that we as a nation can not afford to disregard.”
Rakha, who has efficiently defended a number of folks charged with blasphemy, stated that the drama’s author, director and the channel’s administration should be counseled for his or her braveness to spotlight controversial points plaguing Pakistani society. Shocked by the tragic ending of the season finale, he stated he was equally shocked to see the top credit embrace a montage of images of individuals killed over false blasphemy accusations, together with photographs of church buildings and houses of Christians burned in blasphemy-incited riots.
“It appears as if the whole workforce, together with the producer, author, director and actors have put their lives at stake to provide out the message that Pakistanis’ fanaticism must be curbed, lest extra folks fall sufferer to false accusations of blasphemy,” he advised Christian Every day Worldwide-Morning Star Information.
Church of Pakistan Moderator Bishop Azad Marshall stated that the drama confirmed how the ability of storytelling and media ought to be used to reflect society and its ills.
“Although I seldom watch TV as a consequence of my busy work routine, I used to be compelled to observe this drama after listening to about it from my household and workforce members and studying the critiques on social media,” Marshall stated, including that the present really depicted the truth of Pakistani society.
“I hope Pakistanis will help tasks like ‘Tan Man Neel o Neel,’ as they spotlight the true issues reasonably than perpetuating unrealistic expectations,” he stated, lauding the manufacturing workforce for calling out false blasphemy accusations and mob mentality in an especially hostile atmosphere.
Ejaz Augustine, a Christian lawmaker within the Punjab Meeting, praised Hum TV for bravely highlighting the darker realities of Pakistani society.
“I strongly really feel that this drama ought to be proven on the grassroots degree and at instructional establishments in order that our folks could be sensitized in the direction of the devastating impression of false accusations and mob mentality,” he advised Christian Every day Worldwide-Morning Star Information.
For a lot of in Pakistan, blasphemy is an incendiary cost, with unsubstantiated accusations inciting public outrage that may result in lynchings. Nazeer Masih Gill, a Christian attacked in Could after being accused of burning pages of the Quran, died shortly afterwards. In August 2023, Muslim mobs attacked Christian neighborhoods in Jaranwala, Faisalabad District, burning down a number of church buildings and houses after two brothers had been falsely accused of writing blasphemous content material and desecrating the Quran.
Pakistan has witnessed a pointy improve within the prosecution of “on-line blasphemy” circumstances within the final two years, with non-public vigilante teams bringing prices towards lots of of younger people, together with Christians for allegedly committing blasphemy.
Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doorways’ 2025 World Watch Record of essentially the most tough locations to be a Christian, because it was the earlier yr.
If you need to assist persecuted Christians, go to https://morningstarnews.org/assets/aid-agencies/ for an inventory of organizations that may orient you on methods to become involved.
In case you or your group want to assist allow Morning Star Information to proceed elevating consciousness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please contemplate collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?
###
© 2025 Christian Every day Worldwide-Morning Star Information. Articles/images could also be reprinted with credit score to Christian Every day Worldwide-Morning Star Information. https://morningstarnews.org
Tweet: https://twitter.com/morningstarnewz/
Fb: https://www.fb.com/MorningStarNews
Morning Star Information is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company that depends solely on contributions to supply authentic information reviews of persecuted Christians. By offering dependable information on the struggling church, Morning Star Information’ mission is to empower these within the free world to assist and to encourage persecuted Christians that they aren’t forgotten or alone. Totally free subscription, contact [email protected]; to make tax-deductible donations, go to https://morningstarnews.org/donate/? or ship test to Morning Star Information, 34281 Doheny Park Rd., # 7022, Capistrano Seaside, CA 92624, USA.
The submit Nationwide TV Present Dares to Painting ‘Blasphemy’ Violence in Pakistan appeared first on Morningstar Information.
