'No active stance on internal affairs': MEA remark on 'threat to Muslim places in India' by Pak President

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday rejected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s comments that he was “threatening Muslim religious places in India”, terming the remark as “absurd”. In a statement, the MEA also made it clear that the President of Pakistan has “no locus standi to comment on matters that are internal to India”.

What did the MEA say

Responding to media queries on the Pakistani president’s remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “categorically rejects” the comments, terming them as unauthorized interference in the country’s internal affairs.

“India categorically rejects the unauthorized comments of the President of Pakistan. He has no standing whatsoever to speak on matters internal to India,” Jaiswal said in a statement.

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The MEA also pointed out that the remarks were particularly ironic given Pakistan’s human rights record against minorities.

“These comments are particularly absurd given Pakistan’s abysmal human rights record, which is a matter of global comment. Pakistan’s long history of systematically targeting and victimizing minorities across various religions is notorious,” the spokesman said.

The ministry also claimed that the comments reflected Pakistan’s broader policy approach towards India.

“Given this reality, the President’s remarks can only be understood as a deliberate political attack driven by Pakistan’s national policy of bigotry and hatred,” the statement added.

Contribution of the President of Pakistan on X

The MEA’s response came after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement on alleged demolitions and threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India.

In a statement on X, Zardari referred to the alleged demolition threats facing the historic Ganj Shaheeda Mosque in Varanasi and called on the Indian authorities to stop such actions.

“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 Ganj Shaheed Mosque in Varanasi. He asked India to immediately stop such actions, warning that they could lead to the disintegration and permanent chaos of India. He called for an immediate end to the protection of minority rights and cultural heritage.”

Kashi Railway Station Extension

According to reports, the railway authorities have issued a notice ordering the Ganj Shaheeda Mosque near Kashi railway station to vacate the premises as part of the station expansion project.

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The Intajamia Masjid Committee protested against the eviction notice and rejected the allegation that it was located on encroached railway lands. They claimed that the Ganj Shahida Mosque has a history of around 1000 years and existed there long before the railway.

Station Manager Arpit Gupta of Cant railway station said that the land around Kashi railway station needs to be cleared of encroachments due to station expansion and proposed construction works.

“Various locations have been identified and action is being taken accordingly,” Gupta said.

He said that the railways and the district administration had earlier conducted drives in and around Kashi railway station. Hanuman Temple and Ajmer Shaheed Mosque located in Rajghat area have already been removed as part of the joint exercise, he said.

The notification was issued days after the demolition of the Azgaib Shaheed Mazar and a mosque located on the railway station premises on June 3, following a court order in a land ownership dispute.

Officials said a survey conducted for the redevelopment project found the structures on railway land, after which notices were issued and demolition proceedings were carried out.

( tagsToTranslate )1 President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari