Jaishankar Highlights Rising Attacks on Minorities
📍 NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that India is closely tracking attacks on minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He emphasized that while India makes its position clear, it cannot change the “fanatical and bigoted mindset” of a neighboring country.
Religious Persecution in Pakistan
During Question Hour, Jaishankar detailed 10 attacks on Hindus in Pakistan in February:
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7 cases involved abduction and forced conversion.
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2 cases were abductions.
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1 case involved police action against students celebrating Holi.
He also highlighted:
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3 incidents targeting the Sikh community—one attack on a Sikh family, threats over a reopened gurdwara, and an abduction with forced conversion.
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2 cases against Ahmadiyyas—one mosque was sealed, and 40 graves were desecrated.
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1 case targeting a Christian man, who was mentally unstable, yet charged with blasphemy.
India’s Concern Over Attacks in Bangladesh
Jaishankar confirmed that India also monitors minority welfare in Bangladesh. He shared:
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2,400 incidents of attacks on minorities in 2024.
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72 incidents reported in 2025.
He assured the House that India has raised concerns with Bangladesh’s government. Both he and the Foreign Secretary have taken up the issue during diplomatic visits.
India’s Approach to Addressing the Crisis
Responding to a question about whether India should take “tough action”, like Indira Gandhi’s stance against Pakistan, Jaishankar said:
💬 “Even Indira Gandhi could not change the mindset of a fanatical neighbor. Neither can we.”
Human Rights Report Exposes Rising Violence
On March 26, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) released a report documenting rising violence against religious minorities in Pakistan in early 2025. The report condemned the escalating abuse and highlighted the lack of justice due to political and religious influence.
HRFP President Naveed Walter stated:
💬 “Religious minorities in Pakistan remain easy targets for attacks, forced conversions, blasphemy charges, and kidnappings. The neglect of their suffering is even more painful.”
One shocking case involved Wasif Masih, a Christian youth from Chak Jhumra, Faisalabad. He was falsely accused of theft, assaulted, and publicly humiliated with black paint on his face.
