India accuses Pakistan of engaging in 'alarmist propaganda'

In response to criticism over BJP officials' remarks, New Delhi says Islamabad is trying to foment communal disharmony

NEW DELHI:

India's foreign ministry on Monday accused Pakistan of "engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India", after the latter criticised top officials of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials over their anti-Islam remarks.

Earlier today, Pakistan issued a strong demarche to the Indian Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad.

The official was told that the remarks are “totally unacceptable and have not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan but of Muslims across the world”.

The Indian diplomat was further told that Pakistan "deplores the belated and perfunctory disciplinary actions taken by the BJP government against the said officials, which cannot assuage the pain caused to the Muslims".

The ministry also expressed its deep concern about the alarming rise in communal violence and hatred against Muslims in India.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also rejected the statement by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over the remarks, saying it was "unwarranted a narrow-minded".

Also read: Pakistan issues demarche to India over blasphemous remarks by BJP officials

Bagchi said, "Government of India categorically rejects OIC Secretariat's ... comments," the spokesman said, adding that the government "accords the highest respect to all religions".

He added that the tweets and comments "denigrating a religious personality" were made by "certain individuals". He stressed that they "do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India".

"Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies," he said, accusing the OIC Secretariat of making "motivated, misleading and mischievous comments" in the face of the incident.

"This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests," he said. "We would urge the OIC Secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions."

The bloc as well as the International Union of Muslim Scholars had denounced the uncalled comments that caused uproar in the Muslim world.

In its statement, the OIC noted that the comments came amid an "escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam in India", and pointed to "systematic practices against Muslims and restrictions on them", such as several bans against headscarves in educational institutions, demolitions of Muslim property, and an "increase in violence" against Muslims.