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‘Abysmal record’: MEA rejects Pakistan claim on Indian minorities
Responding to media queries on comments by Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi firmly dismissed the allegations, describing them as coming from a country with an abysmal and well-documented human rights record.
Jaiswal said Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities has been a long-standing and serious concern, adding that attempts to divert attention through baseless accusations would not alter ground realities. (ANI File Photo)
India on Monday strongly rejected remarks made by Pakistan’s Foreign ministry on alleged incidents involving minorities in India, saying Islamabad’s own record on minority rights “speaks for itself”.
Responding to media queries on comments by Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi firmly dismissed the allegations, describing them as coming from a country with an abysmal and well-documented human rights record.
Jaiswal said Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities has been a long-standing and serious concern, adding that attempts to divert attention through baseless accusations would not alter ground realities.
“We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself. Pakistan’s horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it,” he said.
On Monday, Andrabi called upon the international community to take note of recent incidents “targeting religious minorities” in India, including “Christmas-related vandalism and attacks on Muslims”, and to take steps to safeguard the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups.
Last month, Pakistan had objected to the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Ram temple which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation. New Delhi had described the remarks as politically motivated and unacceptable, asserting that Pakistan had no standing to comment on India’s internal affairs.
“We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities, Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others,” Jaiswal had said.
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