India chose not to vote on the draft resolution “Measures to combat Islamophobia” at the UN General Assembly on 15 March. The resolution, presented by Pakistan and supported by China, was met with India’s decision to abstain.

India emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing religiophobia against various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and others that face violence and discrimination. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, condemned acts driven by anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, and Islamophobia. She stressed the need to acknowledge that these phobias are not limited to Abrahamic religions.

“Clear evidence shows that over decades, followers of non-Abrahamic religions have also been affected by religiophobia. This has led to the emergence of contemporary forms of religiophobia, particularly anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh sentiments,” she said, in an explanation of India’s position on the resolution.

‘Resolution on Islamophobia may set a bad precedent’

India emphasised that the acceptance of the resolution must not set a precedent that could lead to the creation of multiple resolutions that divide the United Nations along religious lines. The UN must maintain its “stance above such religious concerns, which have the potential to fragment us rather than unite us under the banner of peace and harmony, embracing the world as one global family”, Kamboj said.

“While the issue of Islamophobia is undoubtedly significant, we must acknowledge that other religions are also facing discrimination and violence. Allocating resources solely to combat Islamophobia, while neglecting similar challenges faced by other faiths, might inadvertently perpetuate a sense of exclusion and inequality,” she added.

In addition, Kamboj stressed to the UNGA that Hinduism, which boasts a staggering 1.2 billion followers, Buddhism with a significant 535 million, and Sikhism with a substantial 30 million followers globally, all face the unfortunate reality of religiophobia. “The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, violations of gurudwara premises, massacres of Sikh pilgrims in gurudwaras, attacks on temples, and the glorification of breaking idols in temples all contribute to the rise of contemporary forms of religiophobia against non-Abrahamic religions,” she said.

Resolution adopted, nevertheless

Kamboj emphasised that India opposed all forms of religiophobia, such as antisemitism, Christianophobia, and Islamophobia, while also standing against sentiments that are anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh.

However, the resolution introduced by Pakistan was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly, with 115 nations voting in favour, none against, and 44 abstentions, including India, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, and the UK.

The resolution denounced the incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence against Muslims, which they said was evident in the increasing number of incidents involving the desecration of their holy book, attacks on mosques, sites, shrines, and other acts of religious intolerance. It also called upon UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia.