Founder of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Khadim Hussain Rizvi, recently delivered an objectionable sermon against Sikhs and the Kartarpur Corridor. He said that Pakistan wasn’t created to set up Sikh Universities or open corridors for them and whoever loves Sikhs so much should cross over to Amritsar.
Rizvi is a notorious Pakistani cleric infamous for his role in the violent protests in Pakistan in 2017. The widespread protests, which resulted in the death of at least six and injured another 200 at the very least, were organized in response to a minor change to the oath taken by candidates in elections involving a declaration that revolved around Prophet Muhammad. This change was interpreted as benefiting the Ahmadi sect.
Sensing public anger, the Pakistani government immediately rescinded its decision deeming it to be a ‘clerical error’. However, the protests continued and protesters marched on the streets demanding the resignation of the Law Minister for alleged blasphemy. Ultimately, the protests were called off only after the Minister submitted his resignation.
Last year, Rizvi gave a call for protests after the acquittal of Asia Bibi who was accused of blasphemy. Eventually, he was arrested alongwith scores of members of his political party and he was booked under charges of sedition and terrorism. The TLP had also protested against Dutch politician Geert Wilders for announcing a ‘Prophet Muhammad cartoon competition’ and demanded that the Dutch ambassador be expelled from the country. The TLP also demanded that all diplomatic relationships with the Netherlands are severed and Rizvi had also put a Fatwa on Wilders’ head. The event was eventually canceled.
Rizvi’s party was founded after the killer of Aatish Taseer’s father, Salman Taseer, was hanged to death following his conviction. Rizvi had vehemently spoken in favour of Mumtaz Qadri and even organized protests demanding his release.