India rejects Pakistan’s Christmas vandalism remarks, cites its ‘abysmal’ minority record

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi outright rejects remarks from a country whose own conduct on minority rights “speaks for itself”.

“Pakistan’s horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well-established fact. No amount of finger-pointing will obfuscate it,” Jaiswal said.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan had expressed concern over reported incidents of vandalism during Christmas in India and alleged violence against Muslims.

“The persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern,” Islamabad said in a statement, claiming that incidents of vandalism during Christmas and what it described as state-sponsored campaigns against Muslims had led to fear and alienation within the community.

India’s response comes amid growing international scrutiny of Pakistan’s own human rights record.

Last month, US Senator Jim Risch flagged Pakistan’s treatment of minorities after a report by the country’s top human rights body warned of an alarming rise in violence against religious minorities.

The report highlighted cases of forced conversions and underage marriages involving Hindu and Christian girls.

India has repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of minorities, including Hindus and Sikhs, in Pakistan at international forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council.