The police did an excellent job of restraining the demonstrators without descending into excessive brutality or violence against them. The demonstrators were permitted to demonstrate and make speeches, but not to disrupt the city or to attack the Ahmadiyyas as they threatened, and outbreaks of violence initiated by the bigots when they did not get their way were swiftly and effectively dealt with.

Ultimately the police were able to ensure that the bigots were unable to hang an insulting sign on the wall of the Ahmadiyya complex in Bakshibazar, as they had threatened, and unable to successfully besiege or attack the Ahmadiyya community.

This comes as a welcome change from instances in the past, when local authorities have stood by and permitted the bigots to intimidate and attack Ahmadiyyas in an orgy of violence unchecked by the police.

The government stand against the bigots is welcome and comes at a critical time It sends the right message that the government will neither tolerate the spreading of religious hatred, nor permit any group to flout its authority. We would like to think that the official action on Friday has made clear that intimidation and violence have no place in our society, and that fighting with the police and acting in a manner that is contemptuous of the law will not be tolerated.

The anti-Ahmadiyya bigots are not only spreading bile and hatred and acting in an unconstitutional and illiberal manner that is inconsistent with the nation's ideals. They have also been brazen in flouting the law and expressing their willingness to challenge all governmental authority.

In the current climate, this is something that we can no longer tolerate. Neither can the government sit back when religious freedom is impinged and bigots spew hatred and incite violence, nor can it permit them to run riot through the streets if they do not get their way. Friday's police action shows that the government can successfully contain religious extremists if it musters the political will.