India's claims of destruction of Buddhist sites in G-B a 'pack of lies'

AJK President Masood Khan says Buddhist heritage is preserved in Gandhara, Mohenjo Daro and Harappa

ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has dismissed the Indian allegations of destruction of Buddhist sites in Gilgit-Baltistan as pack of lies, saying the vicious blame game is part of India’s attempt to divert attention from its own crimes against humanity.

“It was ruling BJP that had pulled down thousands of years old Babri mosque in India, reduced Charare Sharif shrine to ashes in IOJ&K, ruined holy Golden Temple in Amritsar and killed hundreds of innocent Sikhs, and destruction of places of  worship of Christians in different parts of India,” he said in a video message on Saturday.

Before expressing fake sympathy with the followers of Buddhism, the Indian rulers should search their souls, and must remember that the present Pakistani territory was once abode of Buddha culture, and the Buddha heritage is still preserved in Gandhara, Mohenjo Daro, and Harappa among many other places, the president added.



“We reject BJP’s phony concern on “Indian” Buddhist heritage in Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan has been the cradle of Buddhist civilisation for centuries. The occupier has the gall to show fake anger to hide its crimes in IOJ&K and destruction of Muslim heritage in India,” Masood Khan maintained.

He asserted that Gilgit-Baltistan region is on the ancient Silk route which was the only source of trade and cultural bonds among China, Central Asia and the East Asian countries over the centuries. He said that Gilgit-Baltistan is part of Jammu and Kashmir state, and the people of this region love Pakistan and emotionally attached to their heritage.

The AJK president asserted that the government of Pakistan also extends full cooperation to the people and government of Gilgit-Baltistan for the preservation of this ancient and historical heritage. He went on to say that the hearts of the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan throb together, and they are like one body.



"There is no difference of opinion between them regarding the preservation of Buddha heritage," he added.

Describing the Indian allegations of destruction of Buddha sites as provocation of the Indian government, the AJK president said that the false allegations were designed to hide India's crimes against humanity in occupied Kashmir, and the hate campaign of RSS against the minorities in India.

“The BJP and RSS, the neo-fascist forces dominating India, believe that desecration and destruction of Babri Mosque, attack on Golden Temple and arson of most revered Charar Sharif Shrine was an act of piety and a religious duty. They belong to the stone age. Civilisation has evolved,” Masood Khan added.

He further said that Narendra Modi's party had declared in its election manifesto that it will take all necessary measures to saffronise and to impose a Hindu nationalist agenda onto Indian history, and to fulfill this agenda, Modi introduced black citizenship law in India, and is also taking practical steps to turn the Muslim majority of Occupied Kashmir into a minority.

Sardar Masood Khan said that stiff resistance against the hegemonic moves of Modi is being shown in India and Occupied Kashmir. "Through such unfounded allegations, India cannot create cracks in deep bonds among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir with Pakistan, China and other nations," he concluded.