Pakistan has strongly condemned the curbs on Kashmiri Muslims to practice their faith and restraining them from congregating on special religious occasions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Foreign Office in a statement in Islamabad said Pakistan has repeatedly underlined imposition of restrictions on Muharram processions represents complete disrespect and deep-rooted prejudice by the Indian government for the sentiments of the Muslims in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). It is also a flagrant violation of Kashmiris’ fundamental right of freedom of religion, it added.
It said denying the Kashmiri Muslims their right to worship and to carry out these processions peacefully is yet another illustration of India’s ongoing assault on religious freedoms of minorities, especially Muslims, in IIOJK and in India. It is also reflective of the ‘Hindutva’ driven majoritarian mindset of the BJP-RSS dispensation, it lamented.
The Foreign Office called upon the international community, the United Nations and other human rights and humanitarian organisations to hold India to account for its suppression of religious rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people in violation of international law and conventions.—KMS
