Pakistani Foreign Office on Monday issued a strong condemnation of what it called “highly irresponsible” remarks made by an Indian minister, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, regarding the potential reclamation of the Sindhu region in southern Pakistan.
The Foreign Office argued that such statements reflect India’s revisionist and expansionist mindset. Yogi Adityanath’s provocative comment drew a parallel between the potential reclaiming of the Sindhu region and the controversial demolition of the Babri Mosque, which was located at the birthplace of Lord Rama. He made this statement while addressing a National Sindhi Convention organized by the Sindhi Council of India.
In response to media queries about Adityanath’s statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed Pakistan’s condemnation of the remarks. She emphasized that Yogi Adityanath, a prominent member of India’s ruling establishment and a follower of the Hindutva ideology, has displayed a revisionist and expansionist mindset. These comments not only seek to undermine the identity and culture of neighboring countries but also target India’s own religious minorities, Baloch added. She further noted that such comments distort historical facts.
Baloch also found it concerning that Adityanath had cited the reclamation of “Ram Janmabhoomi” as a precedent for reclaiming the region in Pakistan. She reminded that the Babri Mosque was infamously demolished on December 6, 1992, by a Hindu supremacist mob in an attempt to assert control over the claimed birthplace of Lord Rama in Ayodhya.
The Foreign Office spokesperson voiced alarm that Adityanath’s remarks align with the concept of “Akhand Bharat” (undivided India) and that similar ideas are being promoted by individuals associated with the BJP-RSS (Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) alliance to advance divisive political agendas.
In conclusion, the Foreign Office called upon Indian leaders to resolve disputes with neighboring countries through cooperation and promote peace and prosperity in South Asia, rather than nurturing “hegemonic and expansionist ambitions.”
Yogi Adityanath, born Ajay Singh Bisht, is a controversial figure known for his incendiary anti-Muslim rhetoric. His appointment as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017 sparked controversy, as he has been criticized for his divisive politics that marginalize the state’s substantial Muslim population.
Journalist and political commentator Sunita Aron explained, “He is brazenly open about his Hindu politics and ideology … He has projected himself as a Hindu leader and that’s what brings him crowds and votes,” highlighting his controversial approach to politics.
