ISLAMABAD -UNS:Pakistan on Monday condemned the construction and consecration of ‘Ram Temple’ on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque in Indian city of Ayodhya and urged the international community to take cognisance of the growing Islamophobia, hate speech and hate crimes in India.
“The United Nations and other relevant international organisations should play their part in saving the Islamic heritage sites in India from extremist groups and ensuring the protection of the religious and cultural rights of minorities in India,” the Foreign Office said in a statement released here.
Pakistan also urged the India government to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities, including Muslims and their holy places.
The centuries-old mosque was razed on December 6, 1992, by a Hindu mob.
Deplorably, the FO spokesperson said, India’s superior judiciary not only acquitted the criminals responsible for this despicable act, but also allowed the construction of a temple on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque.
“Developments of the past 31 years, leading to today’s consecration ceremony, are indicative of growing majoritarianism in India. These constitute an important facet of the ongoing efforts for social, economic and political marginalisation of the Indian Muslims,” the FO said.
— Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 22, 2024
“The rising tide of ‘Hindutva’ ideology in India poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace. The chief ministers of two major Indian states, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, are on record as citing the Babri Mosque’s demolition or inauguration of the ‘Ram Temple’ as the first step towards reclaiming parts of Pakistan,” the FO spox concluded.
India’s Hindus say the site is the birthplace of Lord Ram, and was holy to them long before Muslim Mughals razed a temple at the spot to build the Babri Masjid in 1528.
In 2019, the Supreme Court handed over the land to Hindus and ordered allotment of a separate plot to Muslims where construction of a new mosque is yet to begin.
