"Give us an India where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live for each other," says Ghulam Nabi Azad accusing Modi government over lack of inclusivity

Attacking the Modi government for lack of inclusivity of minorities in Indian society, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Monday, has said the prevalent lynching in Jharkhand has seen Muslims being killed every week adding that while the opposition supported 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas', the inclusivity was not seen anywhere in India, in a parliamentary session.

Claiming that Old India had love and culture with Hindus, Muslims, and Dalits feeling each others' pain, he said that they (Opposition) wanted the Old India, not a new India which lacks religious harmony.

Comparing Old India to the current 'New India', Azad added that nowadays humans are each others' enemies as humans were not scared of animals but other people in the colony, alluding to the fear minorities live in.

"We See No Locus Standi For A Foreign Entity To Pronounce On The State Of Our Citizens," Says India Rejecting US Report On International Religious Freedom

This comment comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the United States Department of State report on International Religious Freedom that stated attacks against minorities by Hindu groups continue in India citing that India sees 'no locus standi for a foreign entity'.

MEA said, "India is proud of its secular credentials, it's status as the largest democracy and pluralistic society with a longstanding commitment to tolerance and inclusion. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities." 

US Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo Asks Pakistan To Do More On Religious Freedom

The report claimed that mob attacks by violent extremist Hindu groups against the minority communities, particularly Muslims, continued in India in 2018, amid rumours that victims had traded or killed cows for beef. The report said that as of November, there were 18 such attacks, and eight people killed during the year.

Meanwhile, On June 22, two Uttar Pradesh police officers were charged with culpable homicide after a Muslim cattle trader died of injuries sustained while being questioned in police custody.