Islamabad — Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed serious concern over recent events linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, urging the international community to take notice of what it describes as growing challenges faced by religious minorities in India.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office criticized the flag hoisting at the newly constructed temple, which stands on the site of the historic Babri Mosque. The mosque, built centuries ago, was demolished in 1992 during a large-scale unrest.
Pakistan noted that subsequent legal proceedings in India, including the acquittal of those accused in the demolition and approval for the temple’s construction, raised questions about the protection of minority rights.
The Foreign Office said the situation in Ayodhya reflects a broader environment in which Muslim heritage sites and religious symbols are facing increasing pressure. It claimed that several other historic mosques in India are encountering legal and political disputes, while Indian Muslims continue to face social, economic and political marginalization.
Pakistan called on the United Nations and other global bodies to help safeguard Islamic cultural heritage in India and to ensure that the rights of all religious minorities are protected in accordance with international human rights standards.
The statement also urged the Indian government to take steps to ensure the safety and security of all religious communities, including Muslims, and to protect places of worship under its obligations to international conventions.