Lalit Gargg
Pakistan’s habit of denigrating India is nothing new; it has become a permanent feature of its diplomacy and narrow-minded approach. Rarely does a moment arise when India’s growing strength, rising global stature, or cultural resurgence becomes visible, and Pakistan does not respond with frustrated remarks or concocted allegations on international forums. Its recent outburst over the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya is yet another example of this mental bankruptcy. Pakistan leaves no opportunity to puncture the natural harmony of Indian ethos. The ceremony was not merely a religious event; it was a profound moment reflecting India’s civilizational memory, cultural pride, and spiritual awakening—one that attracted the attention of the entire world. Pakistan not only opposed this historic event but went so far as to take it to the United Nations, as if meddling in India’s internal affairs was its diplomatic duty. Earlier too, it had registered irrelevant objections during the construction of the Ram Temple. Such reactions are part of a pattern—Pakistan simply cannot tolerate any sign of India’s cultural upliftment.
In its statement filled with distortions and mischief, Pakistan’s foreign office alleged that the flag hoisting at the Shri Ram Temple was part of a larger trend of pressurizing religious minorities in India. The world, however, knows well which country’s minorities actually live under fear and oppression. Today, hardly 50 lakh Hindus remain in Pakistan; Sikhs and Christians are nearly extinct. Before Partition, 15 percent of West Pakistan’s population consisted of Hindus; today, they have shrunk to around 2 percent. In contrast, India is home to over 200 million Muslims, whose numbers—along with other minorities—continue to grow steadily. Pakistan’s irrelevant comments come at a time when the country itself has long been a hub of violence against Hindus, Christians, and Ahmadi Muslims. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the first half of 2025 witnessed consistent violence and persecution of Christians and Hindus across Pakistan.
Like the proverb “the cat goes on pilgrimage after eating a hundred mice,” Pakistan’s interference is not only unacceptable but also exposes its hypocrisy and double standards. It is ironic that a country incapable of safeguarding its own citizens, one that routinely violates the fundamental rights of its minorities, pretends to stay awake all night worrying about the rights of Muslims in India. A country where the Hindu population has nearly vanished since 1947, where Sikhs have endured countless atrocities, and where Christian congregations are repeatedly attacked, has no moral right to lecture India on minority rights. Pakistan’s credibility is so eroded that its complaints resemble nothing more than political theatrics.
Behind Pakistan’s behaviour lies a deep fear of India’s growing confidence, expanding global influence, and strengthening national consciousness. India today is emerging as a decisive player in global geopolitics, its economy is expanding rapidly, and its civilizational discourse is receiving unprecedented respect worldwide. Pakistan recognizes that India is rising not only as a political or economic power, but as a cultural powerhouse. The reconstruction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the cultural awakening associated with it are forging a new unity, a renewed energy, and a revived self-respect across Indian society. That is precisely the strength Pakistan fears most—because a united, confident, culturally vibrant India is the greatest threat to its radicalized politics and India-centric conspiracies.
The “booklets” and “complaints” Pakistan circulates at international forums are little more than certificates of its failed foreign policy. A nation trapped in economic bankruptcy, political instability, and home-grown terrorism attempts to turn India’s internal religious ceremonies into political crises. Its behaviour is not just intrusive but provocative. India is fully capable of rebutting every baseless allegation with facts—and is prepared to respond firmly on all platforms. India’s stance is clear: it does not interfere in any country’s internal matters, nor will it tolerate interference in its own. India’s domestic policies are guided by its Constitution and democratic framework. Here, minorities enjoy equal rights like any other community. Every faith—Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity—receives equal respect. India is a land of diversity and harmony, where temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and churches are not merely structures but vibrant blossoms of a multi-hued cultural garden. Pakistan’s monochromatic religious mindset cannot grasp this, and thus resorts to objecting to India’s spiritual and cultural celebrations. India has consistently responded to every provocation with calmness and fact-based restraint. This composure is its strength—and its cultural inheritance. But this does not mean India will ignore any provocative behaviour. Time and again, India has demonstrated that it is not only spiritually and culturally capable, but also strategically, diplomatically, and economically empowered. Pakistan knows well that this is the India of the 21st century—self-reliant, awakened, united, and globally respected.
The Ram Temple at Ayodhya is not just a reconstruction of a religious site; it echoes a cultural renaissance deeply embedded in India’s soul. No international platform can diminish its significance. Pakistan may lodge complaints, issue statements, or fabricate stories, but the rise of India’s cultural consciousness is unstoppable—and will continue to attain new heights. The truth is simple: Pakistan’s anxiety reflects its defeated mindset. India’s growing power, rising prestige, and strengthening cultural identity are its greatest insecurities. But India’s path is clear—it will continue to advance, strengthen its civilization, assert its cultural presence on the global stage, and confront every unwarranted interference with firmness and dignity. Whatever threats Pakistan attempts to manufacture, India is capable of responding on every front—with courage, and with character. |
