(Image source from: LiveInternet)

External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday asked Pakistan to return to the family two minor Hindu girls who were abducted, forcefully converted to Islam and married off on the eve of Holi in Sindh province.

"Forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan: The age of the girls is not disputed. Raveena is only 13 and Reena is 15 years old,” tweeted Sushma Swaraj.

Forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan : The age of the girls is not disputed. Raveena is only 13 and Reena is 15 years old. /1

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

“Even the Prime Minister on Naya Pakistan will not believe that girls of this tender age can voluntarily decide about their conversion to another religion and marriage," Swaraj tweeted referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's 'Naya Pakistan'.

Even the Prime Minister on Naya Pakistan will not believe that girls of this tender age can voluntarily decide about their conversion to another religion and marriage. /2

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

"Justice demands that both these girls should be restored to their family immediately," she added.

Justice demands that both these girls should be restored to their family immediately. /3

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

The incident came to light after the girls' father and brother revealed the details in videos that went viral on social media. In a separate video, however, the girls claimed that they accepted Islam out of their own free will.

The Pakistan Prime Minister had on Sunday directed that an "immediate" investigation be conducted in the case. On the same day, India had shared its concerns through an official note to the Pakistan Foreign Office over the incident.

India sought appropriate remedial action by the Pakistan government to protect and promote security, safety, and welfare of its own citizens, particularly from the minority communities.

Pakistan human rights activists have claimed that this is another case of forced conversion and abduction, which are turning out to be more and more common in the southern region of Sindh. The girls were abduction from their home in Daharki taluka of Ghotki district in Sindh province on the eve of Holi and converted to Islam.

By Sowmya Sangam