ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly criticized the inauguration of a temple at the site where the Babri Mosque once stood in Ayodhya, India, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office.
The statement expressed concern over the developments of the past 31 years, leading to the consecration ceremony, and described them as indicative of a growing trend of majoritarianism in India. It highlighted the consequences of these developments, noting their role in the social, economic, and political marginalization of Indian Muslims.
Indian Prime Minister Modi fulfilled a decades-old promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party by inaugurating the temple earlier in the day. The historic mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992, leading to riots in which nearly 2,000 people lost their lives.
In 2019, India’s superior judiciary permitted the construction of a temple at the mosque’s site, with Muslims being allotted a plot outside the city for a new mosque, which has yet to be built.
The Foreign Office statement emphasized that a temple erected on the grounds of a demolished mosque would continue to be a stain on India’s democracy. It also drew attention to other mosques, such as the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura, facing similar threats of desecration and destruction.
Furthermore, the statement warned about the rising influence of the ‘Hindutva’ ideology in India, stating that it poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace. It cited the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, who allegedly mentioned the Babri mosque’s demolition or the temple’s inauguration as the first step towards reclaiming parts of Pakistan.
The Foreign Office urged the international community to take note of the growing Islamophobia, hate speech, and hate crimes in India. It called upon the United Nations and other relevant international organizations to play a role in safeguarding Islamic heritage sites in India from extremist groups and ensuring the protection of the religious and cultural rights of minorities.
Additionally, Pakistan called on the Indian government to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities, including Muslims and their places of worship.
