New Delhi: India has strongly rejected comments made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari regarding alleged threats to Muslim religious sites in the country, describing the remarks as “absurd” and an unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs.
Responding to media queries on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India categorically rejects the comments made by the Pakistani President and asserted that he has no standing to comment on matters that fall within India’s sovereign jurisdiction.
“India categorically rejects the unwarranted comments made by the President of Pakistan. He has no locus standi to comment on matters that are internal to India,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA also highlighted Pakistan’s own human rights record, stating that the remarks were particularly ironic given the country’s treatment of minorities. According to the ministry, Pakistan’s record on human rights has been widely criticized internationally, and its history of discrimination and persecution of minority communities across various faiths is well documented.
In its statement, the ministry further alleged that the comments reflected Pakistan’s broader political approach towards India. It said the remarks appeared to be a deliberate political attack driven by policies rooted in intolerance and hostility.
The response came after President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over alleged demolitions and threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Zardari referred to the reported threat facing the historic Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi and urged Indian authorities to prevent any such action.
The Pakistani President stated that actions against religious sites could create instability and long-term unrest in India. He also called for the protection of minority rights and the preservation of shared cultural heritage.
India, however, reiterated its long-standing position that issues related to its domestic affairs fall exclusively within its sovereign domain and that comments from Pakistan on such matters are neither warranted nor acceptable.