New Delhi — The Indian government on Wednesday strongly dismissed remarks by Pakistan over the ceremonial hoisting of a saffron flag atop the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, saying Islamabad has “no moral standing to lecture others.”
In a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, pointing to its “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities.”
The response came a day after the Foreign Office of Pakistan (FO) expressed “deep concern” over the “flag-hoisting ceremony” at the temple built on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid, calling it a signal of rising marginalisation of Muslims and a threat to their cultural heritage. The FO linked the event to what it described as India’s broader trend of diminishing minority rights under majoritarian ideology.
Jaiswal’s counter-statement challenged the legitimacy of Pakistan’s criticism, arguing that a country with its track record on minority persecution should not comment on India’s internal cultural and religious affairs. “It is Pakistan whose moral credentials stand questioned — not India’s,” he said.
India’s remarks reflect its firm stance on what it sees as external interference in domestic religious matters. Officials highlighted that the flag-hoisting was part of a nationally significant ceremony marking the completion of the temple’s construction — a matter of internal cultural and heritage importance.
The diplomatic exchange underlines the heightened sensitivity around the Ayodhya event, with reactions from both New Delhi and Islamabad drawing sharp contrasts in tone and content. While Pakistan focused on minority-rights concerns and international norms, the Indian side responded by questioning Pakistan’s moral authority to pass judgment.
