Pakistan condemns Christmas vandalism, violence against Muslims in India

Pakistan expressed deep concern on Monday over what it described as the continued persecution of religious minorities in neighboring India, citing recent incidents of vandalism during Christmas and persistent violence against Muslims.

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the treatment of minorities in India had become a serious human rights issue that warranted international attention.

He condemned recent acts of vandalism targeting Christian places and Christmas celebrations, calling them “highly deplorable.”

Andrabi also pointed to what he described as state-sponsored campaigns against Muslims in India.

He cited the demolition of Muslim-owned homes, repeated incidents of mob lynching, and what he said was a growing climate of fear and alienation for minority communities.

The spokesperson specifically referenced the lynching of Muhammad Akhlaq, a case that drew international attention amid allegations that state institutions shielded the perpetrators from accountability.

“The list of such victims is sadly long,” Andrabi said, adding that the incidents reflected a broader pattern of discrimination and intolerance against minorities in India.

Pakistan urged the international community to take serious notice of the situation and called for appropriate steps to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of vulnerable communities in India.

India, the world’s most populous country, is home to a Hindu majority and sizable Muslim and Christian minorities. Issues related to religious freedom and minority protections have drawn scrutiny from international human rights organizations and advocacy groups in recent years.

Multiple reports by such groups have highlighted attacks on Muslims and Christians, mob violence in the name of cow protection, discriminatory laws, and the demolition of properties allegedly without due process.

Incidents of vandalism against churches and Christian symbols during religious occasions, including Christmas, have added to concerns about the safety of minority communities.

Pakistan said it has consistently raised these issues at international forums.

It has urged global human rights bodies and the United Nations to monitor developments in India and hold authorities accountable for alleged violations of minority rights.