'Country with stained record of bigotry': India rejects Pak's Ram Temple remark; asks it to 'turn its gaze inwards'

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday dismissed Pakistan’s comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation at the Ram temple ceremony in Ayodhya, with "the contempt they deserve”.

The sharp response came a day after Pakistan’s foreign office issued a statement objecting to the flag-hosting ceremony at the Ram temple on Tuesday. The statement alleged a growing threat to religious minorities in India and claimed Muslim heritage sites were at risk from Hindu extremists.




Minitry of external affairs termed the remarks politically motivated and unacceptable, holding that Pakistan has no locus standi on India’s internal matters. The MEA said Pakistan’s statements reflect a habitual pattern of interference and are aimed at provoking communal narratives.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities, Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others. Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record."



On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the dharma dhwaja atop the spire of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, marking the completion of the temple structure. Addressing the gathering, he said the flag symbolised civilisational resurgence and declared, “This sacred flag will stand as a testament that truth ultimately triumphs over falsehood.”

The Prime Minister said democracy was deeply rooted in India’s civilisational fabric and highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive development. He said, “Ram does not discriminate, and the government is also moving forward with the same spirit,” urging citizens to uphold unity as the nation moves toward Viksit Bharat.

Calling the ceremony the fulfilment of a 500 year old resolve, Modi said longstanding wounds were beginning to heal and described Ayodhya as a rising centre where spirituality and modernity would converge. Recounting the moment of the flag installation, he said, “The process started at 11:40 PM. I pressed the button, and the flag was installed at 11:50. The entire process took 4 minutes.”

PM Modi held a roadshow in Ayodhya, where crowds lined the streets to welcome him. He later visited Saptmandir, Sheshavtar Mandir, Mata Annapurna Mandir and performed Darshan and Pooja at the Ram Lalla Garbha Grah.
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