Responding to remarks made by the Indian External Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha regarding minorities in Pakistan, the Foreign Office spokesperson said India has no moral authority to speak on minority rights as it remains a ‘serial violator’ of those very rights.
The spokesperson emphasized that in Pakistan, state institutions work actively to safeguard minority rights as a matter of policy, whereas in India, minorities face frequent attacks with the tacit approval or complicity of the ruling establishment.
Highlighting India’s controversial policies and actions, the FO listed incidents such as the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the demolition of the Babri Mosque, the 2002 Gujarat massacre, the 2020 Delhi riots, and recent mob violence against minorities, particularly Muslims.
The statement concluded by urging India to take concrete measures to protect its minorities, ensure the safety of their places of worship, and stop the promotion of hatred and violence within its borders.
Below is the text of the Foreign Office statement:
India is in no position to champion minority rights, as it remains aserial violator of those very rights.
In Pakistan, state institutions actively work to safeguard minoritiesas a matter of policy. In stark contrast, incidents targetingminorities in India frequently occur with the tacit approval—or evencomplicity—of elements within the ruling dispensation.
The systematic promotion of hatred, discrimination, and violenceagainst minorities in India is well-documented. From thediscriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to the bulldozing ofhomes; from the 2002 Gujarat massacre to the 2020 Delhi pogrom; fromthe demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992 to the consecration of atemple on its ruins in 2024; from cow vigilantism and mob lynchings toattacks on mosques and shrines—India’s record is marred by egregiousand systemic violations of minority rights, particularly those ofMuslims.
Rather than feigning concern for minorities elsewhere, the Indiangovernment would do well to address its own failures. It must takeconcrete steps to ensure the safety, protection, and well-being ofminorities—including Muslims—and safeguard their places of worship,cultural heritage, and fundamental rights.
