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Pakistan cop accused of beating non-muslim man for not fasting

Karachi - Activists and outraged Pakistanis using the hashtag #JusticeforGokalDas called for the officer who allegedly attacked him to be arrested.

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Pakistani police have arrested a fellow officer after he was accused of beating up an elderly non-muslim man for not fasting during Ramadan, an incident that sparked a social media outcry.
The elderly man was pictured bloodied after the attack which reportedly took place in Ghotki district of Sindh province on Saturday just before sunset. The images were widely shared over the weekend.
Activists and outraged Pakistanis using the hashtag #JusticeforGokalDas called for the officer who allegedly attacked him to be arrested.

Shame Religious extremism,notice must be taken by concerned authorities.
Media?#JusticeForGokalDas @BakhtawarBZ pic.twitter.com/ALjA6sFLgD
- Jannisar-e-BilawalBZ (@majid_unar) June 11, 2016

"Religion doesn't mean forced fasting and terrorising the weak. Shame on those who did this," tweeted one Pakistani user.
Bilawal Bhutto, daughter of Pakistan's slain prime minister Benazir, later tweeted that the police officer had been taken into custody.
Local police confirmed the arrest and told AFP an inquiry was being conducted.
"Strict action will be taken against the police official and a senior police officer will go to meet the victim and seek an apology to give a better image of the police to the public," a statement said.

This is the limit! He could me your or my grandfather! #JusticeForGokalDas pic.twitter.com/wFbyoQqCFO
- Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) June 11, 2016

Eating or drinking in daylight hours during Ramadan is a crime for Muslims in Pakistan. They can be fined or even jailed for up to three months.
The restrictions do not apply to other religions.
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day during the whole month.