Islamabad: Pakistan expressed serious concern over the decision of the High Court of Indian State of Karnataka restricting Muslim students from wearing hijab in educational institutions.
“The decision manifestly has failed to uphold the principle of freedom to religious practices and impinges on the human rights,” the Foreign Office said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Equally sad is the fact that the judiciary in India which is expected to act as a bulwark against dehumanisation, stigmatisation and discrimination against minorities has completely failed to uphold the principles of justice and equality,” it added.
“This decision marks a fresh low in the relentless anti-Muslim campaign where even the pretext of secularism is being weaponised to target Muslims.”
“It is feared that the flawed ruling by the High Court would fast track the pace of marginalisation of the minorities, especially Muslims and further embolden the Hindu-RSS zealots to target them with impunity,” the statement remarked.
According to the statement, “It is deeply concerning that the malicious trend of characterising Muslims as ‘others’ or ‘20%’ by prominent BJP leaders which was continuing with appalling impunity is now also being translated into decisions by the judiciary.”
The discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the grossly injudicious Indian Supreme Court judgement in the Babri mosque case were not distant memories, the statement recalled.
India, under its current dispensation, was oblivious to the fact that its so-called ‘secular’ credentials were fast waning much to the detriment of its minorities.
“Pakistan strongly urges the Indian government to ensure safety, security and protection of minorities, particularly Muslims, and their right to practice religion.”
“We also call upon the international community, the United Nations and relevant international organisations to play their role in prevailing upon India to arrest the tide of majoritarianism and discrimination in India and to ensure the protection of all minorities, especially Muslims,” the statement concluded. APP
