On Monday, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Pakistan's accusations regarding attacks on minorities within India, dismissing them as "finger-pointing" and highlighting Pakistan's own "abysmal record" on the treatment of its minority populations.
The MEA issued a statement saying, "We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself. Pakistan's horrific and systemic victimization of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it".
This response followed remarks by a Pakistani foreign affairs spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, who urged the international community to take note of recent incidents allegedly "targeting religious minorities" in India. These incidents reportedly included "Christmas-related vandalism and attacks on Muslims," and Andrabi called for measures to safeguard the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups. ARY news reported Andrabi's highlighting of incidents of "Christmas vandalism and state-backed campaigns targeting Muslims, including demolitions of homes and repeated lynching cases, citing the high-profile case of Muhammad Akhlaq, where authorities allegedly shielded the perpetrators from accountability".
The case of Muhammad Akhlaq, a 50-year-old man who was beaten to death in 2015 based on rumors that his family was storing and consuming beef, was specifically mentioned. It was also noted that the Uttar Pradesh government had attempted to withdraw the case against the accused, though this plea was dismissed.
This is not the first time recently that the two countries have clashed over minority rights and internal affairs. Last month, Pakistan criticized the flag-hosting ceremony at the Ram Temple, which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation. The MEA previously described these remarks as politically motivated and unacceptable, asserting that Pakistan has no standing to comment on India's internal matters.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high, with a history of conflict and mistrust since the partition of British India in 1947. The two countries have fought several wars, and numerous skirmishes, with the Kashmir conflict serving as a major point of contention. Cross-border terrorism has also been a persistent issue, with India repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against perpetrators operating from its territory.
In the past, India has accused Pakistan of restricting normal trade and connectivity. Following a terror attack in Pulwama, India withdrew Most Favored Nation status to Pakistan and increased customs duties on Pakistani exports. Pakistan then suspended bilateral trade with India.
Despite these ongoing tensions, there have been attempts to improve relations through various summits and initiatives. However, relations remain strained, with each country accusing the other of sponsoring subversive acts and failing to protect minority communities.
