Pakistan condemns Modi’s ‘Ram Temple’ flag hoist amid ‘rising Islamophobia’ in India

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday noted the deeply concerning flag hoisting by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at "so called 'Ram Temple'" which was constructed on the site of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.

The temple which was built on the ruins of a historic Mughal-era mosque — torn down in 1992 by a Hindu mob — was opened by the Indian prime minister last year, representing the backing of the Hindutva ideology by the Indian government. 

According to a statement issued by the foreign office today, the Babri Mosque — a centuries-old place of worship — was demolished on December 6, 1992, by the “extremist mobs inspired by fascist ideologies.” 

“The subsequent judicial processes in India, which acquitted those responsible and permitted construction of a temple on the demolished mosque's site, speak volumes about the Indian state's discriminatory approach towards minorities,” the foreign office said.

The event reflected “broader pattern of pressure on religious minorities in India”, the foreign office said, adding that deliberate attempts at eroding Muslim cultural and religious heritage was under the influence of “majoritarian Hindutva ideology.”

FO noted that multiple other historic mosques were now facing similar “threats of desecration or demolition,” as Indian Muslims continued to “experience growing social, economic and political marginalization.”

Pakistan called on the international community to take cognizance of the “rising Islamophobia, hate speech and hate-motivated attacks in India,” stating that United Nations and relevant international bodies must play a “constructive role in safeguarding Islamic heritage and ensuring protection of the religious and cultural rights of all minorities.”

It also urged the Indian government to uphold its “responsibilities by ensuring the security of all religious communities, including Muslims, and by protecting their places of worship in accordance with international human rights obligations.”