India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj, referring to the country as "a proud champion of pluralism," opposed the establishment of a "special envoy" post for Islamophobia at the UN today.
Declining to vote on a draft resolution on Islamophobia proposed by Pakistan and co-sponsored by China, she argued that rather than focusing only on one religion, it is important to recognise the prevalence of "religiophobia" against Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and other faiths that are subject to discrimination and violence.
Munir Akram, Pakistan’s chief diplomat at the UN, had said that Muslims around the world face discrimination, and “bold and decisive actions are needed to counter and combat Islamophobia.”
"Crucial to acknowledge that phobias extend beyond Abrahamic religions...anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist, anti-Sikh elements...increasing attacks on gurudwaras, monasteries, temples..." India's envoy to the UN said.
"The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, violation of gurudwara premises, massacre of Sikh pilgrims, attacks on temples, glorification of breaking idols in temples, contribute to the rise of contemporary form of religio-phobia against non-Abrahamic religions," she added.
This occurred in the wake of the UN General Assembly adopting the Resolution on "Measures to Combat Islamophobia," which, among others, calls for the UN Special Envoy to be appointed in order to combat Islamophobia.
Ambassador Kamboj explained India's stance during the adoption of a resolution, stating that although Islamophobia is undoubtedly significant, it is also important to recognise that other religions are subject to discrimination.
Further, the envoy said: “Allocating resources solely to combat Islamophobia, while neglecting similar challenges faced by other kinds might inadvertently perpetuate a sense of exclusion and inequality.”