India Rejects Pakistan’s Objections to Ram Temple Ceremony, Cites Human Rights Abuses

India on Thursday sharply rebuffed Pakistan’s criticism of the ceremonial flag-hoisting at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, declaring that Islamabad has “no moral standing” to comment on religious matters given its own record of systemic persecution of minorities. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Pakistan’s protest as hypocritical and urged it to focus on its “abysmal human rights record” instead of delivering lectures to others.

The strong response came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, performed the Dhwajarohan Utsav by hoisting a saffron flag atop the newly completed spire of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple. The event marked the formal culmination of the temple’s construction on the site where the Babri Masjid once stood before its demolition in 1992.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the ceremony, alleging it reflected growing pressure on religious minorities in India and an attempt to erase Muslim heritage. Islamabad described the flag-hoisting as part of a broader pattern of majoritarian policies.

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Rejecting the remarks “with the contempt they deserve,” Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing, “As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities, Pakistan has no locus standi to pronounce judgement on India.” He added that Islamabad would do better to address its own treatment of religious and ethnic minorities rather than issuing “hypocritical homilies.”

The exchange marks yet another flare-up in the already tense bilateral relationship, with both nations frequently trading barbs over internal matters ranging from Kashmir to minority rights. The Ram Mandir, inaugurated in January 2024, remains a deeply emotive issue in India and a frequent point of contention in Pakistan’s official rhetoric.

Prime Minister Modi described the flag-hoisting as an “extremely moving experience,” stating the saffron flag would inspire Indians to uphold the principle of “Pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye” (life may go, but not one’s word). The temple has emerged as a major pilgrimage center, drawing millions of devotees since its opening.

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