MEA Rejects Pakistan’s Comments on Condition of Minorities in India
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responds to Pakistan minority comments - Image credit: ANI via The Hindi
New Delhi: India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s remarks on the condition of minorities in the country, asserting that Islamabad’s own record of “horrific and systemic victimisation” of minorities is a well-established fact.
Responding to comments made by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi firmly dismissed the allegations and accused Pakistan of attempting to divert attention from its own failings. “We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself,” Jaiswal said, adding that no amount of “finger-pointing” could obfuscate Pakistan’s treatment of minorities of various faiths.
India’s reaction came after Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, responding to media queries in Islamabad, expressed concern over what he described as the “persecution of minorities in India.” Andrabi referred to alleged incidents of vandalism during Christmas celebrations at some places in India and claimed that campaigns targeting Muslims were a matter of concern.
The Ministry of External Affairs, however, dismissed these assertions outright, stating that Pakistan lacks the moral authority to comment on minority rights. New Delhi underlined that Pakistan’s record of discrimination and violence against religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others, is well documented internationally.
Indian officials reiterated that Pakistan should focus on addressing its internal issues instead of making “baseless” remarks about India’s internal affairs.
Our Final Thoughts
Pakistan’s remarks on the condition of minorities in India once again highlight a familiar pattern of deflection rather than introspection. India’s response makes it clear that allegations from a country with a long-documented record of discrimination against religious minorities carry little credibility. While concerns related to minority welfare must always be addressed seriously and responsibly, they cannot be weaponised for political narratives. Meaningful dialogue on human rights requires honesty, accountability and consistency—qualities that are undermined when countries ignore their own shortcomings while criticising others. The focus, therefore, should remain on facts, not selective outrage or diplomatic posturing.