HYDERABAD: August 11, 2016. (Abbas Kassar) Scores of people from civil society and minority communities took out a rally and staged protest demonstration here Thursday against forced conversion of young Hindu and Christian girls to Islam and demanded from government to smash the dens of Mian Mithoo at Bhrchoondi in district Ghotki and Peer Sarhandi of Umerkot who are running conversion centers under grab of Madrassahs. Nationwide protest coincided National Minority Day tribute to Jinnah’s famous speech which he made on 11 August 1947. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against forced conversion and in favour of their demand urging government to make legislation. Speaking to rally advocate Bhag Chand Bheel said situation of religious minorities has gone frim bad to worse since 1947 with their population diminishing as thousands had left Pakistan while others preparing to migrate. Mukesh Meghwar said 1000 cases of forced conversion of Hindu and Christian girls take place every year while hundreds were not recorded. But the government has failed to take action against Mian Mithoo and Peer Sarhandi involved in this dirty business. Pushma Kumari said most of cases of forced conversion happen in Sindh which are never highlighted in Urdu and English media including electronic mainstream. Sindh National Tehrik leader Ashraf Noonari urged mainstream Urdu and English media to highlight such cases so that authorities concerned can frame policy and take legislative measures. Pardeep Kumar said young minority girls are kidnapped and kept at unknown places for months during which they are brainwashed, threatened and sexually abused and then produced in courts to get statements of kidnappers liking. Shankar Meghwar and Chandan Bheel also spoke on the occasion.