The rising wave of state-sanctioned hate crimes and Islamophobia in India has emerged not only as a threat to Indian Muslims but is also a matter of grave concern for the Muslim world at large.
As part of his diplomatic outreach, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has addressed letters to the OIC Secretary-General and his counterparts in the OIC. Among other things, the Foreign Minister has sensitized 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.
The Foreign Minister has inter alia apprised about the BJP Government’s systematic campaign to demonize Muslims by holding them responsible for the spread of Coronavirus. He has underscored that Indian actions are in contravention of relevant International Conventions and seriously undermine global efforts for religious harmony during these challenging times.
It is hoped that the international community will take due cognizance and urge India to reverse this course, which is fraught with risks for the safety and security of India’s minorities, particularly Muslims, and for their fundamental rights and freedoms.
