Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether Government is aware that the Hindus living in Pakistan and Bangladesh are being pressurised, bullied, allured and forced to change their religion; and

(b) if so, the action taken by Government to prevent this religious conversion in these countries?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNALAFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) Government has from time to time come across reports of problems being faced by members of minority communities in foreign countries including, in some countries, of Hindu minorities.

(b) It is the primary responsibility of foreign Governments to discharge their obligations towards all their citizens including those that belong to their minority communities. Though the ‘Simla Agreement’ with Pakistan specifically provides for non-interference in each others’ internal affairs, nevertheless, based on reports of persecution of minority groups in Pakistan, Government has taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan has stated that it was fully cognizant of the situation and looked after the welfare of all its citizens, particularly the minority community. The Government of Bangladesh has been reiterating its commitment to safeguarding minority rights within the legal framework of Bangladesh’s constitution.
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Pakistan
South Asia