Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner oral updates on drivers, root causes and Human Rights impacts of religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence at the 54th Session of Human Rights Council (11 September - 13 October 2023) delivered by Ms. Jagpreet Kaur, Under Secretary, Geneva,
5 October 2023
Mr. Vice-President,
1. We thank the High Commissioner for his oral update. India is firmly and unequivocally opposed to all forms of religious intolerance and all acts of religious hatred, discrimination and violence.
2. India is a multilingual, multireligious and multicultural country. Unity in diversity has been our civilizational motto. We, in India, celebrate our diversity, as reflected in our abiding respect for all religions and cultures. Our civilizational ethos of Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava, that is, ‘equal respect for all religions and peaceful co-existence of all religions’, has been one of the foundational tenets of India’s secular polity and society.
3. The Constitution of India guarantees to all citizens, as a fundamental right, the freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion.
Mr. Vice-President,
4. It is indeed regrettable that there has been an increase in prevalence of phobias against followers of various religions. There is a need for the international community to recognize the instances of intolerance, prejudice, phobia and violence against the followers of all religions and join hands to build a culture of equal respect for all religions and their peaceful coexistence.
I thank you.
