26 November,2025 08:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. File pic
India on Wednesday strongly condemned Pakistan's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, rejecting them "with the contempt they deserve", news agency PTI reported. India also urged Pakistan to focus on its own "abysmal human rights record" rather than lecturing others.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions during a media briefing, said Pakistan had no moral standing to comment on India's internal affairs, especially given its own history of "bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities".
"We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities, Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others. Instead of issuing hypocritical statements, Pakistan would do well to focus on its own abysmal human rights record," Jaiswal stated.
Pakistan had expressed "deep concern" over the flag-hoisting ceremony, held on Tuesday, which marked the completion of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple's construction, PTI reported.
Pakistan's Foreign Office criticised the event, referring to the temple's construction on the site of the Babri Mosque and alleging it reflected growing pressure on religious minorities in India.
In response, India emphasised that the ceremony held deep spiritual and historical significance, PTI reported.
Prime Minister Modi had hoisted a saffron flag atop the temple's âshikhar (spire),' symbolising the completion of the temple and marking the Dhwajarohan Utsav (flag-hoisting festival). The event took place on the auspicious âPanchami' of the âShukla Paksha' in the month of Margashirsha, coinciding with the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, further enhancing the day's significance.
The flag hoisted was a right-angled triangular banner, measuring 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length. It featured the radiant image of the Sun, symbolising the brilliance and valour of Lord Ram, with an 'Om' and the image of the Kovidara tree. The saffron flag represents dignity, unity, and the ideals of âRam Rajya' - a message of cultural continuity.
The flag was raised atop a "shikhar" designed in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style, while the surrounding 800-metre Parkota, an enclosure designed in South Indian architectural style, showcases the temple's architectural diversity. The temple's outer walls feature 87 intricately carved stone episodes from the life of Lord Ram, based on the Valmiki Ramayana, while 79 bronze-cast depictions from Indian culture adorn the surrounding enclosure.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
