India slams Pakistan over terrorism, minorities and 1971 genocide denial
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “As you are aware, there was a meeting of all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. It was a closed meeting and I have no comments. You may want to listen to the criticisms of Defense Minister Khwaja Asif, National Assembly member Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former prime minister Imran Khan regarding Pakistan’s long-standing approach to global conflicts and tensions.” he said.
He was responding to questions regarding the recent all-party meeting on West Asia, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made remarks in the context of the US asking Pakistan to convey a message to Iran.
On Pakistan’s treatment of minorities, Jaishankar said: “We have seen reports on the issue. Such comments are not isolated incidents but are part of Pakistan’s systematic victimization of minorities, including the Shia community. The declining number of minorities in Pakistan reflects decades of fear, marginalization, oppression and neglect at the hands of the state. Pakistan’s record in protecting minority rights is well documented.”
Jaiswal also pointed out that Pakistan continues to deny the atrocities committed during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, including the systematic killing of millions of Bangladeshis and widespread sexual violence that caused millions to flee to India.
“We are all aware of the atrocities committed during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971. The genocide included the systematic killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshis and mass sexual violence against women. They forced millions to seek refuge in India. These atrocities shocked the conscience of the world. However, Pakistan continues its denial to this day. We support Bangladesh’s quest for justice,” he said.
Jaiswal made these remarks in response to a recent message shared by Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman on the occasion of Genocide Day. The message includes archive footage showing attacks on unarmed civilians, intellectuals and students at Dhaka University, Pilkhana and Rajarbagh Police Lines, and describes the events as one of the most heinous genocides in modern history. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has previously downplayed the events, but the latest reference to genocide is seen as an attempt to recalibrate its position.
