ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written letters to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General and his counterparts in the 57-member body to draw their attention towards the rising wave of state sanctioned hate crimes and Islamophobia in India.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office on Tuesday said “Among other things, the foreign minister has sensitised them towards this hate-mongering as part of the RSS-BJP dispensation’s anti-Muslim and anti-minority agenda, based on the extremist ‘Hindutva’ ideology.”
It further said “The increasing wave of state-sanctioned hate crimes and Islamophobia in India has surfaced not only as a threat to Indian Muslims but is also a matter of serious concern for the Muslim world at large”.
The foreign minister, according to the communiqué, has inter alia apprised about the Modi government’s systematic campaign to demonize Muslims by holding them responsible for the spread of COVID-19.
Qureshi has underscored that Indian actions are in contravention of relevant International Conventions and seriously undermine worldwide efforts for religious harmony during this epidemic.
“It is hoped that the international community will take due cognisance and stress India to repeal this course, which is fraught with risks for the safety and security of India’s minorities, especially Muslims, and for their fundamental rights and freedoms,” FM Qureshi was quoted as saying by the FO.
There have been rising incidents of hate crimes against Muslims in India particularly after the outbreak of coronavirus.
The RSS, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, inspired extremists have blamed Muslims for the source of the plague with reports that some hospitals in India segregated Muslim patients from the Hindus, the statement read.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to take notice of the grave violation of the international law by India.
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