India’s UN Envoy Calls Out Pakistan On Ahmadiyya Repression, Afghan Deportations

During the UN General Assembly, India’s Permanent Representative, P Harish, referred to Pakistan only as ‘our western neighbour’ while questioning the repression of Ahmadiyya, forced repatriation of Afghans, and military operations conducted during Ramadan.

“One wonders what would brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas in this country be termed or the large-scale refoulement (or forced repatriation) of the helpless Afghans or air-bombing campaigns in this Holy Month of Ramadan?” he questioned.

Pakistan’s envoy, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, responded by accusing India of politicising the meeting. His reply, however, served as an implicit acknowledgement of the persecution of Ahmadiyyas in his country.

Since a 1974 constitutional amendment, Pakistan has officially labelled Ahmadiyyas as ‘non-Muslim’, codifying discrimination against the community.

Anti-blasphemy laws further expose them to severe penalties, including potential death sentences, while attacks on their mosques remain frequent.

Harish emphasised that Pakistan’s repeated allegations against India only reflect a ‘terrorist mentality’ embedded since its formation, contrasting sharply with India’s commitment to secularism and religious pluralism.

India, the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, adheres to Sarva Dharma Sambhava, a philosophy advocating equal respect for all faiths. This principle informs India’s secular Constitution and its stance against all forms of religious hatred or violence.

Harish urged, “Caution against frameworks that exclusively focus on one faith, without addressing the broader phenomenon of religiophobia in all its manifestations.”

He cited the 1981 UN Declaration, which, in our view, remains a very balanced and enduring instrument that enshrines the rights of all religious followers without privileging any.

India highlighted the dangers of exploiting religion for political objectives by both state and non-state actors.

“India’s western neighbour is an excellent example of fabricating imaginative tales of Islamophobia in their neighbourhood,” Harish concluded.

Also Read: Afghanistan Warns Of Strong Response After Alleged Pakistan Strike In Kabul