In Lahore, on February 26th, a woman faced an attempted assault by a mob due to wearing attire adorned with Arabic calligraphy, which was perceived as a deliberate act of religious insult. Police intervened just in time to rescue the woman.
According to police reports, the woman was out shopping with her husband when she wore a dress with some Arabic letters inscribed on it, triggering strong disapproval from onlookers, who demanded her immediate change of attire.
The mob accused the woman of displaying Quranic verses on her clothing, further escalating the situation.
The incident attracted a large crowd in the Ichhra Bazaar, where the woman was harassed and subjected to attempted violence by the agitated mob. Prompt police action saved her from harm.
The policewoman who rescued the woman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shahrbanu, received praise, with images circulating on social media showing TV host Juggun Kazim kissing the officer’s hand.
Juggun Kazim shared images and videos of her meeting with ASP Shahrbanu on Instagram, also mentioning the officer’s YouTube interview.
Describing ASP Shahrbanu as her hero, Juggun Kazim shared pictures of herself with the officer, including one where she is seen kissing the policewoman’s hand.
Following the viral spread of the image showing Juggun Kazim kissing ASP Shahrbanu’s hand, social media users commented, expressing a mix of opinions. Some praised the gesture, while others criticized it, suggesting that it could set a precedent for undue familiarity with female officers.
Some users voiced concern about the escalating tensions, while others speculated that the woman officer continued to perpetuate the subjugation of women on political grounds.
