Statement by India during Urgent debate on public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran at the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council (19 June - 14 July 2023) delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 11th July 2023 Statement by India during Urgent debate on public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurren..
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Statement by India during Urgent debate on public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran at the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council (19 June - 14 July 2023) delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 11th July 2023

Statement by India during Urgent debate on public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran at the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council (19 June - 14 July 2023) delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 11th July 2023

Mr. President,

1.  India rejects firmly and unequivocally all forms of religious intolerance and all acts of religious hatred, discrimination and violence.

2.  India is a multilingual, multireligious and multicultural nation. 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. 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. 

3.  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. Inspired by the philosophy of Manava Dharma, the religion of humanity, India has always been committed to Manava Adhikar, Human Rights.

4.  It is regrettable that there has been an increase in prevalence of phobias against followers of various religions. In various regions of the world, we have witnessed defacement and destruction of temples and idols, glorification of desecration of idols, violation of gurudwara premises, massacre of Sikh pilgrims and numerous other acts of religious intolerance. There is a need for the international community to recognize the instances of intolerance, prejudice, phobia and violence against followers of all religions and work together to eliminate them.

5.  India’s civilizational emphasis on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that is “the World is one family” provides the basis for elimination of all kinds of religious hatred, discrimination and intolerance directed against followers of all religions. It is high time that all members States join hands to build a culture of equal respect for all religions and their peaceful coexistence.

Thank you, Mr. President.