Beyond Broken Symbols: Understanding the Causes and Consequences of Religious Vandalism among Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan

Abstract

This intrinsic qualitative case study investigates the motivational drivers of religious vandalism and focuses on assessing the economic, social, and psychological impact of targeting Christian communities. Religious vandalism against minority communities threatens not only their collective identity but also their safety and right to peaceful existence. In this region, such acts stem from structural power disparities, institutional discrimination, and socioeconomic inequalities, often exacerbated by inflammatory rhetoric. Interpretivist methodology allowed the researcher to analyze data from eight in-depth interviews with Muslim and Christian participants. Religious vandalism induces severe economic, social, and psychological trauma, collective fear, eroded interfaith relations, and heightened marginalization of Christian minorities. This study advances both scholarly and practical discourse by amplifying marginalized voices to inform critical policy reforms, dialogue initiatives, and conflict resolution strategies aimed at safeguarding minority rights in Pakistan.