Pakistan condemns India’s plan to make Muslims second class citizens
Pakistan on Monday, August 22, joined the world community in expressing solidarity with the victims of religious violence, and deplored India’s “sinister” plan to cleanse the country of its Muslim heritage and make Muslims second class citizens and even non-citizens.
In a message on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, Ambassador Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said, “We are particularly alarmed at the global resurgence of xenophobia, hatred and acts of violence against minorities.
“Even as victims of violence belong to diverse religious minorities across the world, there is a disproportionate growth in hate speech and stigmatization of Muslim communities and individuals, leading to acts of violence.
“In our own region, the BJP-RSS regime in India, inspired by the extremist “Hindutva” ideology, has embarked upon a sinister plan to “cleanse” India of the vestiges of its Islamic heritage, and make Muslims second class citizens, and even non-citizens.
“On its part, Pakistan will continue to advance international efforts to protect individuals against Islamophobia, xenophobia, and related intolerance based on religion or belief.”
During the day set aside to honor the victims who have lost their lives or suffered for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief, the UN chief issued a statement standing in “firm solidarity”.
Despite the General Assembly’s resolution in 2019 to officially observe the day, “persons and communities worldwide continue to face intolerance and violence based on religion or belief,” Guterres said.
