The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Tuesday said it has followed the acts of violence and vandalism targeting Muslim community in several Indian states during the Ram Navami processions with deep concern.
The OIC is a 57-member body. The majority of its member states are Muslim-majority countries, while others have significant Muslim populations, including several African and South American countries.
The OIC in it’s statement noted the burning of a century old madrasa and its library by Hindutva mob in Bihar Sharif on 31 March.
“The OIC General Secretariat denounces such provocative acts of violence and vandalism, which are a vivid manifestation of mounting Islamophobia and systemic targeting of the Muslim community in India,” read the statement.
The OIC also called upon the Indian authorities to take firm actions against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts and to ensure the safety, security, rights, and dignity of the Muslim community in the country.
Violence and vandalism have marred Ram Navami Processions in several states of India, targeting Muslims. Hate speech and stone-pelting against places of worship and shrines were common in all the incidents, which occurred in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, and Gujarat.
Meanwhile India said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has an agenda of “communal mindset” and “anti-India.”
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi condemned the statement issued by the OIC.
“We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC Secretariat today regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mindset and anti-India agenda,” Bagchi said.
“The OIC only does its reputation damage by being consistently manipulated by anti-India forces,” the statement said.
