The Foreign Office (FO) has said that December 6 (today) was a sad reminder of the demolition of the historic ‘Babri Masjid’ in India.
On this day, 31 years ago, it said, a mob of Hindu zealots demolished the centuries-old mosque in Ayodhya in full view of Indian law enforcement authorities.
"It is lamentable that India’s superior judiciary not only acquitted the criminals responsible for this hateful act, but also allowed the construction of a temple on the site of the demolished mosque. The temple is expected to be inaugurated in January 2024 – months before the next general elections in India," a statement issued by the FO said.
The anti-Muslim frenzy that caused the Babri Mosque destruction remains unabated, it said further, adding that a few weeks ago, the chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh publicly cited the mosque’s demolition as a template to reclaim parts of Pakistan.
Also Read: 31 years since demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindutva goons
"The elements belonging to the ruling dispensation in India continue to incite hysteria and hatred against Muslims. Today, Hindu supremacist groups are demanding the conversion of many other mosques into temples, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura," the statement further said.
It said several mosques and shrines had already been demolished under the garb of different administrative measures or judicial processes. Muslim holy sites also remained targets of attacks by mobs of extremists, it added.
The FO has urged the international community to take cognizance of the growing Islamophobia, hate speech and hate crimes in India.
"Pakistan urges the Indian government to ensure safety, security, and protection of minorities, particularly Muslims and their places of worship," it stressed.
