NEW YORK: A United Nations official has condemned India’s failure to protect its Muslim minority following an attack in Pahlgam, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as a new report documents a systematic wave of hate crimes across India.
Professor Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, told a US Congressional briefing that “India is not living up to its international commitment” to protect religious minorities from violence and discrimination.
The criticism comes as the Association for Protection of Civil Rights documented 184 hate incidents against Muslims in just over two weeks following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.
The incidents affected at least 316 victims across 19 Indian states, including hate speech, mob assaults, mosque vandalism, and killings. “The state has a duty to protect its citizens. The state has a duty to allow everyone to live in safety,” Professor Levrat said. “Very obviously the state is not properly protecting Muslims in India, and as far as we can see, there are incendiary narratives being brought up by the authorities even at the highest level.”
Professor Levrat, who was appointed to his UN role in October 2023, noted that India has ratified international treaties that guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination. He said Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has signed, states that “no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.”
The briefing was co-sponsored by multiple human rights organizations, including Genocide Watch, World Without Genocide, Hindus for Human Rights, The Humanism Project Australia, and the Indian-American Muslim Council.
British fighter jet makes emergency landing in Kerala
A British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Kerala on Saturday night. The jet was running low on fuel over the Arabian Sea and rough weather led the pilot to seek a diversion.
The F-35B, a stealth fighter aircraft, is based on the deck of the UK’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The jet was launched from the carrier but encountered adverse weather conditions in the vicinity, preventing it from landing back on the deck. Following this, the British pilot requested clearance to land on Indian soil.
Indian Air Force spokesperson in Delhi said it was normal occurrence that the F-35B pilot sought a diversion.
“IAF was fully aware and facilitated the aircraft for flight safety reasons. All assistance is being given, and IAF is in coordination with all agencies,” the spokesperson said.
The UK carrier strike group led by HMS Prince of Wales commenced its eight-month deployment and is headed to the Indo-Pacific. Besides the F-35B fighter jets, uncrewed aerial vehicles, helicopters, anti-submarine frigates, and an Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, are part of the UK deployment.
