India diplomat summoned over calls for ‘genocide’ against Muslims

Islamabad says toxic narrative against minorities under state patronage has become a norm under ‘BJP-RSS govt’

Pakistan on Monday summoned the Indian Charge d’ Affaires at the ministry of foreign affairs to voice serious concerns over the widely reported open call by Hindutva proponents for carrying out genocide of Indian Muslims.

These violent hate speeches were made during the “Dharma Sansad” held at Haridwar, Uttarakhand from 17-20 December 2021, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“It was impressed upon the government of India that it was highly reprehensible that the Hindu Raksha Sena’s Prabodhanand Giri and other Hindutva figures who called for ethnic cleansing have neither expressed any regret nor the Indian government has condemned or taken any action against them so far,” the statement added.

It was conveyed to the Indian side that the reported hate speeches have been viewed with grave concern by the civil society and cross-section of the people of Pakistan and around the world. “Regrettably, the toxic narrative against minorities, particularly Muslims and their persecution understate patronage has become a norm under the current Hindutva-driven BJP-RSS combine government in India.”

Also read: Hindutva leaders call for Muslim genocide in India

It was reminded to the Indian side that such incitement to violence by Hindutva figures including ruling party’s elected members also preceded the anti-Muslim riots in New Delhi in February 2020.

“The continued grave violations of human rights of minorities, especially Muslims and their places of worship, anti-Muslim legislations by the Union Government of India and several BJP-ruled states, and continued incidents of violence against Muslims on flimsy pretexts by Hindutva groups with complete impunity and often under state patronage highlight the worsening trend of Islamophobia and present a grim picture about the fate of Muslims in India.”

Pakistan called on the international community including the United Nations, OIC and relevant human rights organisations to hold India accountable for its gross and systematic human rights violations against minorities, particularly Muslims and take immediate measures to save them from impending genocide.

Also read: Indian police probe Hindu event calling for mass killing of Muslims

“India is expected to investigate these hate speeches and incidents of widespread violence against minorities, particularly Muslims and their houses of worship and take measures to stop such incidents from recurring in future,” the statement said.

Islamabad also urged New Delhi to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of its minorities including protection of their religious places and way of life.

Despite open calls for eliminating Indian Muslims by Hindu extremists, the Indian government or ruling BJP did not condemn the provocative remarks.

Human rights activists voiced concerns over the silence of the Modi government, saying this tantamount to an endorsement of Hindu extremists’’ calls against Muslims.

Some observers are linking the hate speech against Muslims with the upcoming state elections in UP where communal card plays a key role.