The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday strongly rebuked Pakistan for its critical remarks following the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, equating the neighbouring country’s statements to “Osama bin Laden preaching about world peace.” The comments came in response to Pakistan’s characterization of the event as an attempt to erase Muslim heritage and a reflection of purported pressure on religious minorities in India.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the saffron flag atop the temple’s shikhar (peak) on November 25 as part of the Dhwajarohan Utsav, Pakistan issued a statement criticizing the ceremony. The neighbouring country claimed the event was aimed at erasing the historical and cultural presence of Muslims in Ayodhya and reflected growing pressures on religious minorities in India. The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992, and the Ram Mandir was constructed on the site thereafter.

Responding sharply, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dismissed Pakistan’s criticism, stating that the country was the last entity with the moral standing to lecture others about minority rights. “Pakistan should be the last entity that should lecture anybody on rights of minorities and human rights. Look at their own track record and they are doing it on the day of 26/11, the day when they carried out the most dastardly terrorist attack and claimed many innocent lives,” Poonawalla said.

He further highlighted systemic persecution within Pakistan, citing the plight of Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, Shias, Balochis, and even Agha Khanis in the country. “Even various communities within Pakistan are persecuted by the Pakistani ISI and Army infrastructure. So they should be the last person preaching,” he added.

Poonawalla also drew parallels between Pakistan’s narrative on Islamophobia and Hindutva in India with statements made by opposition leaders within the country. He pointed out that certain opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have echoed similar criticisms, portraying the BJP’s actions as communal or discriminatory.

Before the BJP’s statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also rejected Pakistan’s comments, describing them as hypocritical and devoid of moral authority. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly media briefing, emphasized that Pakistan has a “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities” and therefore lacks the legitimacy to lecture India on religious freedom or minority rights. He stated, “Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights records.”

The flag-hoisting ceremony marked the completion of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple’s construction, a landmark event in the country’s cultural and religious landscape. The saffron flag measured 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length, featuring a radiant Sun and the sacred symbol ‘Om’ inscribed on it. The Dhwajarohan Utsav attracted widespread attention across India and drew praise from various quarters for its cultural and historical significance.

The BJP’s rebuttal underscores the party’s broader narrative on national pride and cultural heritage, framing Pakistan’s criticism as an attempt to interfere in India’s internal affairs while ignoring its own human rights issues. Analysts note that such exchanges further amplify long-standing tensions between the two countries, particularly over historical, religious, and political matters.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in reiterating India’s stance, emphasized the country’s commitment to respecting religious diversity and minority rights domestically while rejecting external attempts to politicize sensitive cultural events. The MEA stressed that India’s democratic framework allows for the preservation and celebration of its heritage while ensuring protection for all communities within the country.

This incident follows a history of India-Pakistan tensions over cultural, religious, and political issues. Observers suggest that the flag-hoisting at Ram Mandir, while largely ceremonial, has become a focal point for diplomatic reactions and political rhetoric. Pakistan’s criticism was seen by many in India as an effort to project India’s domestic religious developments as discriminatory on an international platform.

By equating Pakistan’s remarks to “Osama bin Laden preaching about world peace,” the BJP has positioned its response in strong rhetorical terms, highlighting what it considers the country’s historical role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism and its treatment of religious minorities within its own borders. This comparison also comes on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which were carried out by militants originating from Pakistan, further intensifying the emotive nature of the party’s statement.

The remarks by both the BJP and the MEA signal India’s refusal to accept external commentary on domestic religious affairs, reiterating the country’s sovereignty over cultural and historical matters. The debate also highlights the intersection of domestic politics with international relations, as ceremonial events such as the flag-hoisting are viewed through the lens of regional geopolitics.

Overall, the controversy reflects longstanding sensitivities around the Ayodhya site and the construction of the Ram Mandir, which has been a matter of historical, religious, and political significance in India. While Pakistan framed its statement as a concern for minority rights, Indian authorities have dismissed it as interference and hypocrisy, underlining both the domestic importance of the event and its international resonance.