India delivered a sharp rebuke to Pakistan on Wednesday after its neighboring country criticized the recent flag-hoisting ceremony in Ayodhya. The Ministry of External Affairs firmly rejected what it termed as "hypocritical" comments from Islamabad.
Pakistan's Criticism and India's Strong Response
Pakistan had earlier expressed deep concern about the flag-hoisting event in Ayodhya, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine Muslim cultural and religious heritage under the influence of majoritarian Hindutva ideology. The Pakistani government had even called for international intervention to protect Islamic heritage sites.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded with strong condemnation, stating that India rejects Pakistan's remarks "with the contempt they deserve." He emphasized that Pakistan, as a country with what he called a "deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities," lacks the moral authority to lecture other nations.
The Ayodhya Ceremony and Historical Significance
The diplomatic exchange came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the flag-hoisting ceremony in Ayodhya on Tuesday. During the event, PM Modi declared that the "wounds and pain" of centuries were finally healing as a 500-year-old resolve was being fulfilled with the formal completion of the Ram temple.
The ceremony marked a significant moment in the long and contentious history of the Ayodhya site, which has been at the center of religious and political discussions for decades.
India's Call for Pakistan to Focus Inward
In his response, Jaiswal suggested that Pakistan would be better served by turning its attention to its own domestic issues rather than commenting on India's internal matters. India specifically pointed to Pakistan's "abysmal human rights record" as an area requiring urgent attention.
The spokesperson's comments reflect the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, particularly regarding religious and cultural matters. India's position maintains that Pakistan should address its own challenges with minority communities before criticizing other nations.
The exchange represents another chapter in the complex relationship between India and Pakistan, with the Ayodhya development serving as the latest point of contention between the two South Asian powers.
