New Delhi: India's External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday lambasted Pakistan for continuously targeting minority communities and their religious sites in Pakistan. MEA's response comes in the wake of the vandalisation of the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore today. The statue was unveiled at the Lahore Fort Complex in the year 2019.
It is learnt that the members of radical group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan had vandalised the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and ever since it was unveiled, the statue has been vandalised thrice.
MEA spokesperson Shri Arindam Bagchi said, "We have seen disturbing reports about the vandalization of the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore today. This is the third such incident wherein the statue has been vandalised since it was unveiled in 2019. Such attacks on the cultural heritage of minority communities in Pakistan highlight the growing intolerance and lack of respect for minority communities in Pakistani society."
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"Incidents of violence against minority communities, including attacks on their places of worship, their cultural heritage, as well as on their private property, have increased at an alarming rate," he said.
The spokesperson recalled that it was only twelve days ago that a mob attacked and desecrated a Hindu temple in Bhong city of Rahim Yar Khan district in Pakistan.
MEA said that the Pakistani state has completely failed in its duty to prevent such attacks and that it is creating a climate of fear for the minority communities to practice their faith. "We call upon the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities", he added.
In recent years, there has been a surge in attacks on the place of worship of religious minorities in Pakistan. The international community has repeatedly criticised Pakistan for not safeguarding the interest of the minority communities.
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