New Delhi
India on Monday slammed Pakistan for criticising it following certain controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed by two BJP functionaries.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the absurdity of a serial violator of minority rights commenting on the treatment of minorities in another nation is not lost on anyone.
The world has been witness to the systemic persecution of minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Ahmadiyyas by Pakistan, he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the controversial remarks by the BJP functionaries on Sunday.
The Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. This is quite unlike Pakistan where fanatics are eulogized and monuments built in their honour, Bagchi said.
We call on Pakistan to focus on the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities instead of engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India, he said.
The BJP has already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled the party’s Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries.
I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India’s BJP leader about our beloved Prophet (PBUH), Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
The prime minister also alleged that the current Indian government was trampling religious freedom and especially the rights of Muslims.
Have said it repeatedly India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India. Our love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is supreme, he said.
He went on to add: All Muslims can sacrifice their life for the Love & Respect of their Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also strongly condemned what he called completely repugnant & derogatory remarks by BJP officials about our beloved Prophet.
Totally unacceptable; hurting sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world. Time for intl comm to stop the ‘Hindutva’ inspired Islamophobia in India, he tweeted.
