Context

Recently, India Abstained On Pakistan’s Islamophobia Resolution which was introduced on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at UNGA.

Key Highlights of UN Resolution on Islamophobia 

• About Resolution : The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution titled  ‘Measures to combat Islamophobia‘, introduced by Pakistan & co-sponsored by China.
•  Voting for Resolution : 115 nations voted in favour, none against and 44 abstentions, including India,the UK,France, Germany, Italy,  Brazil etc.
• Resolution Condemning Islamophobia: 
  • Global Concerns: 
    • UNGA resolution aims to combat discrimination against Muslims, amidst rising incidents of hate & bigotry globally.
    • Due to cited incidents such as desecration of the Quran, attacks on mosques, and religious intolerance. 
    • It highlighted negative stereotyping, hatred, and violence against Muslims. 
  • Special Envoy: It requested the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia.

India’s Position on the Resolution: 

• Opposition to Special Envoy Post: 

  • India expressed opposition to creating a Special Envoy post based on a single religion. 

• Budgetary Concerns: 

  • India raised concerns about the substantial budgetary implications of establishing such a position. 

• Uniform Stand: 

  • India stands against all forms of religiophobia, be it antisemitism, Christianophobia, or Islamophobia
  • India insisted that the resolution should acknowledge the existence of religiophobia targeting Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and other faiths, rather than focusing solely on one religion. 

• Highlighted Incidents of Religiophobia: 

  • Incidents of religiophobia affecting Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism which is having millions of population around the countries.
    • Attacks on religious places:  Attacks on religious places such as gurudwaras, monasteries, and temples like destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, violations of gurudwara premises, and attacks on temples were mentioned as examples contributing to contemporary forms of religiophobia. 

• India’s Concerns Regarding the Resolution: 

• • Creating Fears with specific Religion : 

    • Passing the resolution might lead to a precedent of focusing on fears associated with specific religions which could potentially divide the United Nations along religious lines. 

  • Urged for Broader Scope :

    • India urged member states to consider the broader scope of religious discrimination globally. 
    • Exclusive Resource Allocation will Perpetuate Inequality: Allocating resources exclusively to combat Islamophobia, without addressing similar challenges faced by other faiths, could inadvertently perpetuate feelings of exclusion and inequality.

News Source: Indian Express