Pakistani boy cuts off own hand after blasphemy mistake

Pakistani police have arrested the imam of a mosque in Okara, in the Punjab province, for inciting violence after a 15-year old boy cut off his own hand, believing he had committed blasphemy, a serious crime in the majority Muslim country.

The cleric, some six days ago, addressing a Mehfil-i-Milad at a village mosque in Chak 3D of Hujra Shah Muqeem town in Depalpur Tehsil, said that “those who love Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) always say their prayers”. “Raise your hand.” The boy misheard the question and raised his hand.

Local police chief Nausher Ahmed told Reuters news agency that Mohammad Anwar, mishearing the question, raised his hand.

The boy went home, and reportedly with his father’s approval, cut off his own hand to atone for his imagined sin; he later presented the limb to the imam on a plate, reports the AFP.

Police filed anti-terrorism charges against the imam and arrested him, local police chief Nosher Ali told Reuters.

But Shabbir has now been arrested for a hate speech inciting violence – a criminal offence under Pakistan’s anti terror plan.

“Such illiterate imams of mosques should not be allowed to deliver speeches”, Nausher said.

The Guardian reported the boy did not regret the act, claiming it was done “in love for prophet Mohammed”.

A video would later surface showing the boy being greeted by villagers in the street after his deed.

Blasphemy is a controversial issue in Pakistan. Human rights activists say accusations of blasphemy are sky rocketing because the law is often abused to settle personal grudges.