India slams OIC for its ‘anti-India’ agenda

India has slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its “anti-India” agenda after the group issued a statement expressing concern about violence and vandalism targeting the Muslim community in several Indian states during Ram Navami processions.

In the statement, the OIC General Secretary denounced such acts of violence and vandalism as a manifestation of mounting Islamophobia and systemic targeting of the Muslim community in India. The OIC called on Indian authorities to take firm actions against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts and ensure the safety, security, rights, and dignity of the Muslim community in the country.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded to the OIC statement, calling it “factually incorrect” and accusing the group of indulging in “anti-India propaganda.” The ministry stated that India is a secular country where the constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens, including Muslims. It further emphasized that the incidents mentioned in the OIC statement were isolated and did not reflect the general state of religious harmony in the country.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and The Kashmir issue:

India has previously criticized the OIC for its stance on the Kashmir issue, with the Indian government terming the group’s statements as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The OIC has been critical of India’s revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and its decision to bifurcate the state into two union territories.

About Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):

The OIC is a group of 57 Muslim-majority countries that aims to safeguard the interests of the Muslim world. However, India has maintained that the group has no locus standi on matters concerning the country’s internal affairs. India has also accused Pakistan, a member of the OIC, of using the platform to further its agenda against India.