Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights (MA&HR) Ijaz Alam Augustine has said that re-entry of Indian government into list of ‘Country of Particular Concern’ has exposed the Modi government’s policies and treatment towards the Muslim population.
He stated this on Wednesday while commenting on the US Commission’s annual report on International Religious Freedom.
Ijaz Alam said that The Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India potentially exposes millions of Muslims to detention, deportation and statelessness. Modi government’s policies in recent months targeted Muslim population in particular, he said adding that the report featured various BJP leader’s hateful comments against minority population.
He also endorsed to impose targeted sanction on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by religious freedom violations.
On the other side the USCIRF Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s efforts, the minister added. Ijaz Alam said that one of the things that has been important for us with Pakistan is that the government has been willing to engage in dialogue about how religious freedom concerns can be addressed.
The government of the PTI is taking concrete steps for the welfare of the minorities and to raise quality of life of the religious minorities to perform their proactive role in the development of country, he added.
The minister said Modi government’s policies in recent months targeted Muslim population in particular, the report featured various BJP leader’s hateful comments against minority population. He also endorsed to impose targeted sanction on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by religious freedom violations.
The government of the PTI is taking concrete steps for the welfare of the minorities and to raise quality of life of the religious minorities to perform their proactive role in the development of country, he added.
