India Monitors Pakistan's Minority Rights Crisis

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8 days agoPWG Publications

India Closely Monitors Minority Rights in Pakistan: EAM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

In a recent development, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has emphasized India's close vigilance over the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. This move comes amid growing concerns about the deteriorating conditions faced by minority communities in both India and Pakistan. Here's an in-depth look at the current situation, the international response, and the ongoing exchange between India and Pakistan on minority rights.

Overview of Minority Rights in Pakistan

Pakistan has faced criticism for its handling of minority rights, with reports of persecution, forced conversions, and violence against religious minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Ahmadis. In February 2025, India highlighted specific incidents involving these communities, including 10 cases against the Hindu community and several against Sikhs and Ahmadis.

Key Incidents Highlighted by India:

Hindu Community: Seven cases of abduction and forced conversion, two cases of abduction, and one incident of police action against Hindu students celebrating Holi.
Sikh Community: A family was attacked, another was threatened for reopening an old Gurdwara, and a girl was abducted and forcibly converted.
Ahmadiyya Community: Incidents included the sealing of a mosque and the desecration of 40 graves.
Christian Community: A mentally unstable individual was charged with blasphemy[2][4][5].

International Response

The international community has taken notice of the deteriorating conditions for minorities in both Pakistan and India. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently recommended that Pakistan be redesignated as a "Country of Particular Concern" due to "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom"[1][3]. India, too, faces criticism for rising attacks on religious minorities, with the USCIRF noting a continued deterioration in religious freedom conditions in 2024[1].

Key International Observations:

Pakistan: The USCIRF cited a need for stronger measures against government agencies involved in religious freedom violations.
India: The commission noted increasing discrimination and violence against religious minorities, recommending action against India's external spy agency for alleged involvement in plots against Sikh separatists[3].

Pakistan's Response

Pakistan has rejected India's criticism, labeling India a "serial violator" of minority rights. The Pakistani Foreign Office highlighted India's own record of minority rights abuses, citing incidents such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, the 2002 Gujarat massacre, and the 2020 Delhi pogrom[1][3].

Key Points from Pakistan's Rebuttal:

State Institutions: Pakistan claimed its institutions actively work to protect minorities.
India's Record: Cited systemic violations of minority rights, especially against Muslims[1][3].

India's Stand and International Engagement

India continues to track the situation of minorities in Pakistan, taking these issues to the international stage. India's representative at the UN Human Rights Council pointed out that human rights abuses and persecution of minorities are "state policies" in Pakistan, which also harbors UN-sanctioned terrorists[4][5].

Key Points from India's Position:

International Engagement: India takes up these cases at international forums, emphasizing Pakistan's alleged inability to provide governance and justice to its people.
Comparison with Other Countries: India also tracks minority rights in countries like Bangladesh, highlighting thousands of incidents in recent years[2].

Trends and Future Outlook

As tensions between India and Pakistan remain high, both countries face challenges in protecting their minority populations. The ongoing debate highlights broader issues of religious freedom and human rights in South Asia, with both nations needing to address their internal conflicts to improve global perceptions.

Emerging Challenges:

Mob-Led Attacks: Reports indicate rising mob-led attacks against minorities in both countries.
Political Tensions: The exchange of accusations between India and Pakistan complicates dialogue and cooperation on minority rights.

In conclusion, the situation of minority rights in Pakistan remains a contentious issue, with India and Pakistan engaging in a diplomatic back-and-forth. As international bodies continue to scrutinize both nations' records on human rights and religious freedom, there is an increasing need for constructive engagement and policy reforms to safeguard minority communities effectively.

Keywords for Search Optimization:

India Minority Rights
Pakistan Minority Rights
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Human Rights in South Asia
International Religious Freedom

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