India rejects Pakistan’s criticism over hatred and threats to Muslims

Indian officials have said they reject “unwarranted comments” from Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari who condemned the threat of demolition to nearly a 1,000-year-old mosque in the ancient Indian city of Varanasi.
Mr Zardari on Saturday said he was deeply concerned over the threats of demolition and a legal notice served to the historic mosque Masjid Ganj Shaheeda and called on India to stop such actions.
Indian authorities in the northern city of Varanasi have launched an anti-encroachment drive under which it has razed hundreds of houses and structures, including temples and mosques, to widen roads.
Earlier this month, a notice appeared on the wall of the prominent mosque near the Kashi railway station on 12 June, terming the religious building as an “illegal construction on railway land”. It further warned the officials of the mosque committee that if the mosque is not removed from the location, it will be demolished.
However, the notice did not carry any official stamp or signature, raising concerns over its authenticity.
“President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep concern over the demolitions and threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India, including the 1,000-year-old Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi. He asked India to immediately stop such actions, warning that they risk leading to the disintegration and perennial chaos of India,” the office of the Pakistani president wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
It added: “He called for an immediate halt to such actions and urged the protection of minority rights and shared cultural heritage.”
However, the remarks were immediately rebuked by the Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA) who said Islamabad has no locus standi to speak on India’s internal matters.

-The Independent