LAHORE, Political, religious figures, and human rights experts in Lahore have expressed serious concerns over the alleged violations of minority rights in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. They claim these actions defy international laws and conventions.

According to Kashmir Media Service, speakers at a forum held in Lahore highlighted that minorities, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians, in various regions of India, are being deprived of their basic rights. They referenced violent incidents attributed to Hindutva activists as examples of these violations. The United Nations (UN) charter, which enshrines fundamental human rights, includes the freedom of religion, faith, speech, franchise, and equality for all citizens, regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds.

Ahsan Nawaz, a senior official from the Ministry of Human Rights and an expert on the subject, criticized India’s National Register of Citizens legislation as regressive and unconstitutional. Father James, a noted rights activist from the Peace Centre, pointed to recent communal violence in New Delhi, which he claimed predominantly targeted the Muslim community, resulting in significant fatalities and a prolonged lockdown in parts of the city.

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Religious Harmony and the Pakistani Diaspora in Middle Eastern and Muslim Countries, argued that under Modi’s leadership, India has adopted a Hindu-centric ethos. He alleged that this approach has led to increased attacks on Muslims and their religious sites. Ashrafi suggested that Modi’s leadership style poses a threat to India’s founding vision of unity and diversity, as championed by historical figures like Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

These criticisms from Lahore reflect growing concerns over the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in India, highlighting the need for international awareness and potential intervention to uphold human rights standards.