Widespread protests have erupted across Sindh after the killing of Hindu youth Kailash Kolhi, allegedly by powerful feudal lord Sarfaraz Nizamani, reigniting debates on minority safety, feudal impunity and the urgent need for justice in Pakistan.
Massive protests have broken out across Sindh, Pakistan, following the brutal murder of Kailash Kolhi, a young Hindu man, allegedly by influential feudal lord Sarfaraz Nizamani.
Minority groups, activists and civil society organisations are demanding Nizamani’s immediate arrest, registration of terrorism charges, and stronger protection for religious minorities.
Demonstrations have been reported from several towns, with protesters accusing authorities of shielding powerful perpetrators. Police officials have confirmed that a case has been registered and investigations are ongoing, even as public pressure mounts for swift, transparent and impartial action.
Protests Erupt Across Sindh, Demands for Accountability Grow
The killing of Kailash Kolhi has triggered widespread anger across Sindh, with protests reported in cities and small towns alike. Members of Hindu communities, minority rights activists and human rights defenders took to the streets, blocking roads, staging sit-ins and raising slogans against feudal violence and state inaction.
Protesters alleged that Kolhi was brutally murdered after a dispute involving Sarfaraz Nizamani, an influential local landlord, and accused the authorities of delaying action due to the accused’s social and political clout.
Placards carried by demonstrators called for “equal justice for minorities” and “end feudal impunity,” underscoring the fear that powerful individuals often escape accountability.
Minority leaders stated that the killing was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of intimidation and violence faced by Hindu communities in interior Sindh.
“If the accused were an ordinary citizen, he would have been arrested immediately,” one protest organiser was quoted as saying, reflecting widespread mistrust in the justice system.
Police Response and Official Statements
Amid mounting outrage, Sindh Police officials said that a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered in connection with the murder and that investigation teams had been formed.
Senior police officers reportedly assured protesters and community leaders that no one would be above the law and that efforts were underway to arrest the accused.
However, rights groups have expressed scepticism, noting that similar assurances have been made in past cases involving influential suspects, often without meaningful outcomes.
Protesters have demanded that Sarfaraz Nizamani be booked under terrorism laws, arguing that the killing has created widespread fear among minority communities and qualifies as an act meant to terrorise a vulnerable population.
They have also called for federal-level intervention to ensure the investigation is not compromised by local power dynamics.
Minority Communities and the Climate of Fear
For Pakistan’s Hindu minority, particularly in rural Sindh, the killing of Kailash Kolhi has deepened an already pervasive sense of insecurity. Community members say they live under constant pressure from powerful landlords, facing threats, economic exploitation and social marginalisation.
Many allege that approaching law enforcement is often futile, as local power structures discourage officials from acting against feudal elites.
Activists argue that such incidents force minority families to choose between silence and displacement. Some Hindu families have reportedly migrated to urban centres or even left the country in recent years, citing lack of protection and justice.
The protests following Kolhi’s murder reflect not only grief and anger but also desperation-a collective plea to be seen and protected as equal citizens.
Feudal Power and Long-Standing Impunity
The case has once again brought Pakistan’s feudal system under scrutiny. In interior Sindh, large landowners wield enormous economic, social and political influence, often controlling entire villages.
Critics say this entrenched power structure enables violence and exploitation, while weakening state institutions meant to uphold the law.
Human rights organisations have long warned that crimes involving feudal lords frequently go unpunished or are settled through coercive compromises. In such an environment, minorities and economically weaker groups remain especially vulnerable.
Observers note that unless systemic reforms address feudal dominance and strengthen accountability, individual arrests alone may not bring lasting change.
National and International Reactions
The killing has sparked condemnation beyond Sindh, with minority rights advocates across Pakistan urging authorities to ensure justice. Social media platforms have amplified calls for accountability, with hashtags demanding justice for Kailash Kolhi trending among activist circles.
Some international human rights groups have also expressed concern, urging Pakistan to uphold its constitutional guarantees of equality and religious freedom.
Analysts warn that continued incidents of minority-targeted violence risk damaging Pakistan’s international image and deepening internal divisions.
They stress that transparent investigations and fair trials are essential not only for justice but also for restoring public confidence in state institutions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The brutal killing of Kailash Kolhi and the protests that followed expose a painful truth: justice becomes fragile when power outweighs accountability.
A society committed to peace and coexistence cannot allow fear to define the lives of its minorities or permit influence to eclipse the rule of law.
True harmony demands that every citizen-regardless of faith or status-feels protected and heard.
