India dismissed Pakistan's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the flag hoisting ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Wednesday, and advised the neighbouring country to focus on "its own abysmal human rights record" instead.
Responding to queries regarding Pakistan's comments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve."
Jaiswal slammed Pakistan's comments and said it has "deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities", and Pakistan has "no moral standing" to lecture others. "Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," the MEA spokesperson added.
Pakistan's Foreign Office criticised the dhwaja ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram temple on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag on the Shikhar of the Ram Mandir on Tuesday, marking the completion of the temple’s construction.
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In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office expressed "deep concern" over the ceremony and said it "reflected a broader pattern of pressure on religious minorities in India and deliberate attempts at eroding Muslim cultural and religious heritage under the influence of majoritarian Hindutva ideology." Pakistan also criticised the Indian judiciary and the Supreme Court's verdict permitting the construction of Ram Mandir at the controversial Babri Masjid site.
Pakistan called upon the international community to act on allegedly growing Islamophobia in India.
Sheikh Hasina's extradition
The MEA spokesperson also reacted to Bangladesh's request for the extradition of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. "The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We remain committed to the best interest of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders."