Qureshi criticises Indian govt for restricting religious freedom of Kashmiri Muslims – World

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday criticized the Indian government for usurping the basic rights, including religious freedom, of people in occupied Kashmir.

The minister was addressing a convention attended by hundreds of people in the Sindh Thar district. The meeting was organized by the Hindu community to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Read also: There are no talks with India before curfew is lifted in occupied Kashmir, says FM Qureshi

Qureshi said the event was a clear message to the world that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has restricted religious freedoms by enclosing mosques in occupied Kashmir, while temples operate freely in Pakistan.

He added that the Indian government sealed the doors of mosques in occupied Kashmir even on Eid day. The curfew has entered its 27th consecutive day, he said, adding that the BJP government was only organizing a drama by opening schools in the valley.

He noted that the Indian government had also prevented elected opposition leaders from entering Srinagar.

"India today is denying the philosophies of Nehru and Gandhi. The ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has eclipsed India," he said.

The minister said he was visiting the Shiv temple with a message from humanity.

"I am visiting the area according to the philosophy of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. We will ensure that the lives, property and honor of the Hindu community are safe," the Foreign Minister added.

He said that the international community has discussed the issue of Kashmir despite the opposition of India and declared occupied Kashmir as a disputed territory.

The solution to the problem of occupied Kashmir is within the resolution of the United Nations, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He said the European Union will also address the issue on September 2 despite Indian attempts to create obstacles.

"Those who bow their heads are not in power today. India should know that we have the courage to respond to a brick with a stone," said Qureshi.

"The cashmere are unarmed but not weak," he added.

The Foreign Minister also expressed concern about the deterioration of the situation in the region saying "RSS thugs are being sent there."

The leader of the PTI, Ramash Kumar Vankvani, said that the Hindu community observed Karshan Bhagwan's day in solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

"Shiv Mahadev's message is to support the victim. People in occupied Kashmir have been subjected to oppression," he said.

PTI leaders, Dr. Arbab ghulam Rahim, Haleem Adil Shaikh and others, also addressed the meeting.