India, in a strong move, called out the selectivity of the United Nations for not condemning the rising hatred and violence against Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
Addresing the the International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022 organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti asked UN to expand its criticism of hatred and violence against religions beyond the three Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam and stop labeling terrorism into categories.
“The UN has highlighted some of them over the years, namely, those based on Islamophobia, Christianophobia and antisemitism – the three Abrahamic religions. These three find mention in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. But new phobias, hatred or bias against other major religions of the world need to also be fully recognised.”
Tirumurti noted that in the past two years, several member states, driven by their political, religious and other motivations, have been trying to label terrorism into categories such as racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism among others. This tendency is dangerous for several reasons.
“The emergence of contemporary forms of religiophobia, especially anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh phobias is a matter of serious concern and needs attention of the UN and all member states to address this threat. It is only then can we bring greater balance into our discussion on such topics,” he added, stressing on the fact that world can never truly foster as long as this selectivity will be there.
He also cautioned that the misuse of information and communication technology such as internet and social media for terrorist propaganda, radicalisation and recruitment of cadre; misuse of new payment methods and crowdfunding platforms for financing of terrorism.
Last year also, in December First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Ashish Sharma also condemned UN and clearly stated that UN should not take sides on religion.
Sharma pointed out that India has always fostered the culture of peace through tolerance, understanding, respect for differences, respect for other religions and cultures, respect for human rights and gender equality.
“Why is this selectivity? Overall, Hinduism has more than 1.2 billion followers, Buddhism has more than 535 million followers, and Sikhism has around 30 million followers. It is time attacks against these religions are also added to earlier list of the three Abrahamic religions when such resolutions are passed. Culture of peace cannot be only for Abrahamic religions,” Sharma had said.
