The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed deep concern over the continued attacks on Muslims in India.
A statement posted on the OIC website on Monday, reads:
"The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expresses deep concern over recent public calls for genocide of Muslims by the 'Hindutva' proponents in Haridwar in the State of Uttarakhand and reported incidents of harassment of Muslim women on social media sites as well as banning of Muslim girl students from wearing hijab in the State of Karnataka.
"The continued attacks targeting Muslims and their places of worship, the recent trend of anti-Muslim legislations in different States and rising incidents of violence against Muslims on flimsy pretexts by 'Hindutva' groups with impunity, are indicative of the growing trend of Islamophobia.
"The OIC General Secretariat calls upon the international community, especially the UN mechanisms and Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, to take necessary measures in this regard.
"The OIC General Secretariat further urges once again India to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the Muslim community while protecting the way of life of its members and to bring the instigators and perpetrators of acts of violence and hate crimes against them to justice.'"
The OIC is the world's second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations. Its mission statement bills it as "the collective voice of the Muslim world" that works to "protect the interests of the Muslim world".
Indian reaction
Not surprisingly, India Tuesday condemned the OIC over Muslim Genocide comments.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi responded to OIC's criticism a day after the group of 57 countries expressed deep concern over what it said were "public calls for genocide of Muslims" at the Dharam Sansad in Haridwar last December, harassment of Muslim women on social media and a ban on headscarves for Muslim students in Karnataka.
Bagchi accused the OIC general secretariat of issuing "yet another motivated and misleading statement" on matters pertaining to India and said: "Issues in India are considered and resolved in accordance with our constitutional framework and mechanisms, as well as democratic ethos and polity."
He added, "The communal mindset of the OIC Secretariat does not allow for a proper appreciation of these realities. OIC continues to be hijacked by vested interests to further their nefarious propaganda against India."
As a result, Bagchi claimed, OIC has "only harmed its own reputation".
Though the Indian side didn't name any specific OIC member, the reference to "vested interests" in such statements is usually seen as a reference to Pakistan.
US Envoy's Critical Tweet on Hijab Issue
Tellingly, on Friday evening, Rashad Hussin, who also serves as advisor to US president on religious freedom conditions and policy, tweeted that religious freedom "includes the ability to choose one's religious attire".
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