India Supports Pakistan in UNHRC Over Quran Issue
In a rare move, India voted in favor of a resolution tabled by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that condemned the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden. The resolution, which was adopted on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, also called on countries to do more to prevent religious hatred and discrimination.
The vote was seen as a significant shift in India’s stance on the issue of religious freedom. In the past, India has been reluctant to criticize other countries for their treatment of religious minorities, even when those countries have been accused of violating international law. However, the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden appears to have galvanized Indian public opinion, and the government felt compelled to take a stand against the act.
The resolution was passed by a vote of 28-12, with seven abstentions. The countries that voted against the resolution included the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, Belgium, Germany, and others.
The Indian government’s decision to support the resolution was welcomed by many Muslim countries, who saw it as a sign that India was committed to protecting the rights of religious minorities. However, the decision was also criticized by some Hindu nationalists, who accused the government of caving in to pressure from Islamic countries.
The resolution is a non-binding document, but it is still seen as an important symbolic gesture. It is hoped that the resolution will help to raise awareness of the issue of religious hatred and discrimination, and that it will encourage countries to take more concrete steps to protect the rights of religious minorities.
Analysis
The Indian government’s decision to support the resolution is a significant development, and it is likely to have a number of implications. First, it suggests that India is taking a more proactive approach to the issue of religious freedom. In the past, India has been reluctant to criticize other countries for their treatment of religious minorities, but the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden appears to have galvanized Indian public opinion. The government now feels compelled to take a stand against acts of religious intolerance, even if it means alienating some of its Western allies.
Second, the resolution is a sign that India is trying to improve its relations with the Muslim world. In recent years, India has been accused of being too close to the United States and Israel, and of neglecting its Muslim neighbors. The resolution is an attempt to show that India is committed to protecting the rights of Muslims, and that it is a friend of the Muslim world.
Third, the resolution is a warning to other countries that India will not tolerate acts of religious intolerance. The government has made it clear that it will not hesitate to take action against countries that violate the rights of religious minorities. This could have implications for countries like China, which has been accused of persecuting its Muslim minority.
The Indian government’s decision to support the resolution is a complex one, and it is likely to have a number of implications. However, it is clear that the resolution is a significant development, and it is likely to be a topic of discussion for some time to come.
