Delhi: India has strongly rejected Pakistan’s criticism of the Dhwajarohan (flag-hoisting) ceremony at the newly completed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, asserting that Islamabad has no moral standing to comment on the internal matters of another nation. The response came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag atop the spire of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, marking the formal completion of the grand temple’s construction.
During the weekly briefing on Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan’s statement. “We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve,” he said. “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.”
Jaiswal further added that instead of issuing “hypocritical homilies,” Pakistan should introspect and address its own “abysmal human rights record.”
The MEA’s remarks were issued after Pakistan claimed that the Dhwajarohan ceremony symbolised rising pressure on religious minorities in India and an attempt to erase Muslim heritage — accusations New Delhi has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.
Prime Minister Modi, who presided over the ceremonial hoisting of the saffron flag on Tuesday, described the moment as deeply emotional. He said participating in the Dhwajarohan Utsav at the sacred Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple was an “immensely moving experience” and a historic milestone for the people of India.
