India Slams Pak For Wading Into Prophet Remark Row, Asks It To Focus On Safety Of Its Persecuted Religious Minorities

India on Monday (6 June) blasted Pakistan for attempting to foment communal disharmony in India, saying that Islamabad should focus on the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, who are being systematically persecuted in the Islamic nation.

Responding to media queries regarding tweet by the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have noted statements and comments from Pakistan. The absurdity of a serial violator of minority rights commenting on the treatment of minorities in another nation is not lost on anyone".

"The world has been witness to the systemic persecution of minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Ahmadiyyas by Pakistan," he added.

"The Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. This is quite unlike Pakistan where fanatics are eulogized and monuments built in their honour," the MEA spokesperson said.

He added that India calls on Pakistan to focus on "the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities instead of engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India".

In a tweet on Sunday (5 June), Pakistan PM Sharif condemned the "hurtful" comments of BJP leader Nupur Sharma about Prophet Mohammed.

He alleged that Modi government is trampling the religious freedoms of Muslims and persecuting them.

"World should take note & severely reprimand India," he said.

"Our love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is supreme", Sharif said, adding that all Muslims can sacrifice their life for the love and respect of their prophet.

On Monday (6 June), Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned India's charge d'affaires in Islamabad to condemn the 'derogatory remarks' by BJP officials against Prophet Muhammad, and asked for condemnation of the 'sacrilegious' comments.

The BJP had already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma while it expelled the party's Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries over their comments.