Islamabad, Today marks the 31st anniversary of the demolition of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India, by Hindu extremists, an event that continues to stir significant concern and reaction, particularly from Pakistan.

According to Radio Pakistan, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reflected on the event, stating that 31 years ago, a mob of Hindu zealots demolished the centuries-old mosque while Indian law enforcement authorities stood by. She expressed dismay over the fact that India’s superior judiciary acquitted the individuals responsible for this act and subsequently allowed the construction of a temple on the demolished mosque’s site, which is slated for inauguration in January 2024.

Baloch highlighted that the anti-Muslim sentiments that fueled the mosque’s destruction persist, citing recent remarks by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, who referred to the mosque’s demolition as a model for action against Pakistan. She also pointed out that Hindu supremacist groups in India continue to incite hatred against Muslims, demanding the conversion of several other mosques into temples, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura. Many mosques and shrines have already been demolished under various pretexts, including administrative measures or judicial processes.

The spokesperson also noted that Muslim holy sites in India remain targets for extremist mobs. She called upon the international community to recognize and address the escalating Islamophobia, hate speech, and hate crimes in India.

Baloch urged the Indian government to ensure the safety, security, and protection of minorities, particularly Muslims and their places of worship, emphasizing the need for a global response to these issues of religious intolerance and violence.

The 31st anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing religious tensions in the region and the critical need for international dialogue and intervention.