External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday strongly criticized Pakistan, stating that human rights abuses, persecution of minorities, and the systematic erosion of democratic values are ingrained in its state policies. Speaking in Parliament during the Budget session, Jaishankar informed the House that India closely monitors the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and regularly raises concerns at the international level.
Jaishankar revealed that in February alone, there were multiple cases of atrocities against minority communities in Pakistan. There were ten cases reported against the Hindu community, three against the Sikhs, two against Ahmadiyyas, and one against a Christian individual suffering from mental illness who was charged with blasphemy.
Jaishankar stressed that India remains vigilant about such incidents and ensures that the global community is made aware of these violations.
Providing further details, he stated that among the ten reported cases against Hindus, seven involved abduction and forced conversion, two were cases of abduction, and one incident involved police action against students celebrating Holi. Regarding the Sikh community, one Sikh family was physically attacked, another was threatened due to the reopening of an old gurdwara, and a Sikh girl was abducted and forcibly converted.
Additionally, two cases concerning the Ahmadiyya community were reported last month—one involving the sealing of a mosque and another where 40 graves were desecrated. There was also a stunning instance of a Christian man where a mentally challenged man was accused of blasphemy, which again highlighted Pakistan’s poor human rights record.
Jaishankar also elaborated that India has put these matters on international platforms. He referred to a statement made by India’s delegation at the UN Human Rights Council, which highlighted Pakistan’s systematic persecution of minorities and that it is a sanctuary for UN-designated terrorists. The representative pointed out that Pakistan, rather than giving sermons to other countries, needs to attend to governance and justice for its citizens.
On similar lines, India’s Ambassador to the UN General Assembly criticized Pakistan’s “fanatical mentality” and history of intolerance. The Minister reconfirmed that India was actively raising these issues in international forums in an effort to make Pakistan accountable for its human rights abuses and seek justice for gassed-up minorities.
Jaishankar’s words in Parliament reaffirm India’s pledge to bring human rights abuses in Pakistan to the fore while ensuring that the world remains aware of the fate of minorities in the country.
