New Delhi: India chose to abstain from voting on a draft resolution presented by Pakistan and co-sponsored by China on combating Islamophobia during a session of the UN General Assembly. The resolution, titled ‘Measures to combat Islamophobia,’ was adopted with 115 nations voting in favour, none against and 44 abstentions, including India, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, and the UK.
Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, condemned all acts of religious discrimination, including anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, and Islamophobia. However, she emphasized the importance of acknowledging that religious intolerance extends beyond Abrahamic religions, urging recognition of contemporary forms of religiophobia against Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Kamboj stressed that the resolution’s adoption should not set a precedent for similar resolutions focused on specific religions, fearing it could fragment the UN along religious lines. Instead, she called for a broader approach to combat religious discrimination globally.
While acknowledging the significance of addressing Islamophobia, India emphasized that other religions also face discrimination and violence. Kamboj highlighted instances of religiophobia, including attacks on religious sites and spreading hatred against non-Abrahamic religions, urging the UN to recognize the prevalence of such discrimination.
India opposed the creation of a UN Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia, citing budgetary implications and advocating for a more inclusive approach to address religious discrimination. Kamboj underscored India’s history as a pluralistic nation that has provided sanctuary to persecuted religious minorities.
Before adopting the resolution, the General Assembly rejected two amendments proposed by Belgium on behalf of the EU, both of which India supported. One sought to remove references to Quran desecration, while the other proposed the appointment of a UN focal point to combat anti-Muslim discrimination instead of a Special Envoy.
The resolution’s adoption comes after the General Assembly proclaimed March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over rising anti-Muslim hate and bigotry globally, emphasizing the need to combat all forms of religious discrimination.
(With agency inputs)
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