By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the heavy-handed treatment by the Indian authorities of Muslims who were registering a peaceful protest after Friday prayers over the derogatory remarks of the two members of the ruling political party BJP against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In a statement, Pakistan Foreign Ministry said, the indiscriminate and widespread use of brute force by the Indian authorities across various states in India has resulted in killing of two innocent Muslim protesters and critically injured thirteen others in Ranchi city.  

“The footage of Indian forces unabashedly opening fire on unarmed protesters in Ranchi city is horrific beyond belief. In Uttar Pradesh alone a total of 227 people have been arrested so far. 

“This is a new low in the Indian government’s repressive ‘Hindutva’ inspired majoritarian policy aimed at demonizing and persecuting minorities, especially Muslims,” said the ministry.

On Friday during police firing in Ranchi city, two young people, Mudassar Aam aged 16, and Sahil urf Afzal aged 19 were killed while dozens of others were wounded.

After the police firing, violent clashes erupted across the state and authorities imposed a curfew to control the situation. 

Local RSS/BJP activists also joined the police to help them against the Muslims and pelted stones at their houses and shops.

“Pakistan denounces this shameful treatment of Indian Muslim citizens by the Indian government and expresses its solidarity with the Muslims of India in these testing times,” said Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

“It is alarming that despite the global condemnation of the BJP officials’ sacrilegious remarks, the Indian government’s reaction has been muted , while on the other hand the BJP-RSS regime has persisted in its Islamophobic actions and has shamefully chosen to handle public protest with brutal and indiscriminate use of force,” its added.

Islamabad warned that the Indian Government’s apathy to the grievous situation and the vicious cycle of communal violence may lead to further marginalization of the Indian Muslims.

Pakistan urged India to ensure that demonstrable action is taken against those responsible for making derogatory remarks and attacking the dignity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

“The international community must also take immediate cognizance of the grievously aggravating situation of Islamophobia in India. India must be held accountable for stifling the rights of the minorities, especially Muslims, and ensure that Muslims living in India are not victimized for practicing their faith and religious beliefs,” the statement further said.

On Saturday, Indian police have used brutal force against Muslims who were arrested during peaceful protests against BJP leaders on Friday and Saturday.

During last two days, the Muslims in India held massive rallies across the country against BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, who insulted Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

A video shared by BJP MLA Dr Shalabh Mani Tripathi, which he later deleted, shows that UP state police are beating some Muslim youth with nailed sticks and they are screaming inside a room.

Tripathi praised police actions to deal with Muslims in a ruthless way and beat them with nailed sticks. 

Later he deleted the video when a strong reaction came from across India and people condemned the UP police to use such brutal acts against Muslim minority youth who peacefully protested against those who insulted their holy Prophet. 

UP is ruling by hardcore RSS/BJP leader Yogi Adityanath, who is known for spreading hatred against Muslims and already banned Azaan and loudspeakers in mosques in his state. 

Adityanath also endorsed his police actions and called the Muslims “miscreants”.

“Action on miscreants should be such that it becomes an example for all the elements having anti-social thinking and no one can even think of disturbing the atmosphere,” Adityanath tweeted.

He also announced demolishing the homes of those Muslims who took part in peaceful protest against BJP leaders who insulted the Holy Prophet.