India called on all member states to consider the broader scope of religious discrimination that persists globally
India on Friday abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution introduced by Pakistan and co-sponsored by China on Islamophobia, stating that the prevalence of “religiophobia” against Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and other faiths facing violence and discrimination must also be acknowledged rather than singling out just one religion.
 
“It is crucial to recognise that Hinduism with over 1.2 billion followers; Buddhism with more than 535 million and Sikhism with 35 million followers worldwide are all subjected to religiophobia. It is time that we acknowledge the prevalence of religiophobia rather than just single out one religion,” India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj said while presenting New Delhi’s position on the resolution.
 
In the 193-member United Nations, while 115 countries voted in support of resolution ‘Measures to combat Islamophobia,’ 44 remained absent, including India, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, and the UK, none voted against it.
 
Presenting India’s position on the resolution, she expressed her deep concern over growing incidents of discrimination and violence against various religions. 

“We condemn all acts motivated by anti-Semitism, Christianophobia or Islamophobia. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that such phobia extends beyond Abrahamic religion. Clear evidence shows that over decades, followers of non-Abrahamic religions have also been affected by religiophobia. This has led to the emergence of contemporary forms of religiophobia, particularly anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist, and anti-Sikh sentiments.”

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN linked religiophobia to the rise in attacks on religious places of worship. 

“These contemporary forms of religiophobia are evident in the increasing attacks on religious places of worship such as gurdwaras, monasteries and temples as well as spreading of hatred and disinformation against non-Abrahamic religions in many countries. The destruction of Bamiyan Buddha, violation of gurdwara premises, massacres of Sikh pilgrims in gurdwaras, attacks on temples and the glorification of breaking idols in temples---all contribute to the rise of contemporary forms of religiophobia against non-Abrahamic religions,” she said.
 
Ruchira Kamboj warned that the adoption of the resolution should not led to establishing a precedent that could result in numerous resolutions centred on phobia tied to specific religion, “potentially dividing the United Nations into religious camps.”
 
“It is crucial for the UN to maintain its stance above such religious concerns, which have the potential to fragment us rather than unite us under the banner of peace and harmony, embracing the world as one global family,” Kamboj said. “India stands against all forms of religiophobia be they anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, Islamophobia as we stand against all Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh sentiments,” Ruchira Kamboj maintained.
 
India called on all member states to consider the broader scope of religious discrimination that persists globally. 

“While the issue of Islamophobia is undoubtedly significant, we must acknowledge that other regions are also facing discrimination and violence. Allocating resources solely to combat Islamophobia while neglecting similar challenges faced by other faiths might inadvertently perpetuate a sense of exclusion and inequality. Moreover, the substantial budgetary implications of establishing such a position prompt us to pause and reflect on whether this is the most effective use of resources. Could we not achieve greater impact through a more inclusive approach that addresses religious discrimination in its entirety,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN said.
 
It is in this background, India opposed the establishment of a special envoy on religion. “We are in principle opposed to the creation of the post of special envoy on the basis of special religion,” she said.
 
She also underscored that India's rich history as a pluralistic and democratic nation, embracing diverse religions, has long served as a refuge for those persecuted for their faith.
 
“Whether Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Jews, or adherents of any other belief, they have consistently found in India a sanctuary free from persecution or discrimination,” she said.