Member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Mohsen Araki said that the intelligence services of the “evil triangle–Britain, the US, and Zionist regime” – are fomenting anti-Muslims emotions among different religious groups in India. RNA - “Today, the intelligence services of the evil triangle - Britain, US, and Zionist regime - are the main cause of divisions in Indian society,” Ayatollah Araki said in a statement referring to the recent eruption of violence against Muslims in India.
“The killing of Muslims by some ignorant fanatics in India as a result of the discriminatory and divisive policies of some Indian politicians has caused great concern on Islamic society and other human societies,” he added, saying, “The recently adopted citizenship law in India has also been fostered and supported by this vicious triangle, and otherwise the Indian community, with all its sectarian and religious diversity, is a peaceful society.”
He also called for the Indian government not to be deceived by intelligence services and strongly urged the Muslim leaders of India to maintain unity and peace.
Last month, in the worst communal violence in decades in New Delhi, nearly 50 people were killed and over 100 wounded as groups chanting Hindu nationalist slogans torched mosques and dozens of Muslim houses.
Last month’s worst anti-Muslim violence by Hindu nationalists began on the eve of a state visit by US President Donald Trump, infamous for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies.
Anti-Muslim violence started in India amid widespread protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government introduced in December, offering a path to Indian citizenship for six religious groups from neighboring countries, specifically excluding Muslims.
Critics insist the law is discriminatory, coming in the wake of other severe government measures against the country’s Muslim population such as withdrawal of autonomy for Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir province that has intensified discord across India about the future of its 200 million Muslims.
Last Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the outburst of violence against Indian Muslims, urging New Delhi to protect all of its citizens regardless of their faith and ethnicity.
“Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims,” Zarif said in a tweet, while highlighting amicable relations between Tehran and New Delhi
“For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India,” he said, adding, “We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail.”
“Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law,” Zarif concluded.
Before Zarif, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi voiced his country’s serious concern about the rising atrocities against Muslims in India, adding that Tehran is consistently following up the case.
“We are following the news coming from India with concern,” Mousavi said in his weekly presser.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is following up on the issue through many channels and we have heard that some Muslim countries have had some movements.”
“We know India as a country where all ethnicities and religions live peacefully side by side,” he said, adding, “We hope that violence against Muslims in India would come to an end.”
“Considering the wisdom of Indian authorities that we are aware of, the country will become a peaceful place for all ethnicities,” he said.
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