Indian diplomat calls Pakistan's claim over Karnataka hijab row 'baseless', says India is a secular country
India Today
The Indian diplomat called Pakistan's claims over the Karnataka hijab controversy "baseless" and said, "India is a secular country".
India's Charge d'Affaires refuted all allegations levelled by the Pakistan Foreign Office over the Karnataka hijab controversy. The Indian diplomat called Pakistan's claims "baseless" and said, "India is a secular country".
India's Charge d'Affaires was summoned to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. In a statement, the Foreign Office said that the Indian diplomat was conveyed Pakistan's deep concern over alleged religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination against Muslims in India.
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"The Indian government must hold the perpetrators of harassment against women in Karnataka to account and take adequate measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Muslim women," news agency PTI reported, citing the statement.
Pakistan was referring to the controversy over the ban on Muslim girls entering schools and colleges wearing hijab in some parts of Karnataka.
Responding to Pakistani officials, the Indian diplomat called their argument "baseless".
"He conveyed to them that India is a secular country. There are processes in place. Pakistan should look at their own track record," according to sources.
