MEA hits back at Pakistan's remarks on Christmas attacks: 'Finger-pointing won't obfuscate facts'

India on Monday dismissed Pakistan's comments on alleged atrocities against minorities in India and accused the neighbouring country of "systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths." 

Rejecting Pakistan's charge, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself."

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

India's remarks come after Pakistan's foreign ministry criticised New Delhi over recent attacks during Christmas celebrations. In a statement on Monday, Pakistan's foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the persecution of minorities in India "is a matter of deep concern". 

"Recent condemnable incidents of vandalism during Christmas, as well as state-sponsored campaigns targeting Muslims including the demolition of their homes and repeated lynchings, notably the case of Muhammad Akhlaq, in which the state worked to shield the perpetrators from accountability, have deepened fear and alienation among Muslims," he said in a statement. 

Saying the list of victims in India is long, Pakistan said global leaders should intervene. "The international community should take note of these developments and take appropriate steps to help protect the fundamental rights of vulnerable communities in India," he said. 

Rightwing activists disrupted Christmas celebrations in various parts of the country this year. The Opposition targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over the attacks.