New Delhi: India has summoned the Iranian ambassador to New Delhi to protest a tweet by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in condemnation of the recent wave of deadly violence in Delhi.
Reports said that Ambassador Ali Chegini had been summoned on Tuesday morning after Zarif denounced “the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims” and called for dialogue as the best solution to the problem plaguing the South Asian country.
Media reports suggested that India lodged “a strong protest over the comments made by Javad Zarif on a matter internal to India.”
The Indian Foreign Ministry issued a démarche to the Iranian ambassador, claiming that the remarks by Zarif were “totally uncalled for and unacceptable,”according to a person familiar with the development.
In his tweet late on Monday, Zarif urged “Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail,” adding that the “path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law.”
Iran condemns the wave of organized violence against Indian Muslims.
For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail.
Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 2, 2020
Violence began in India amid widespread protests over a citizenship law that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist government introduced in December 2019, offering a path to Indian citizenship for six religious groups from neighboring countries, specifically excluding Muslims.
Critics insist the law is discriminatory, coming in the wake of other severe government measures against the country’s Muslim population such as withdrawal of autonomy for Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir province that has intensified discord across India about the future of its 200 million Muslims.
Over 40 people, mostly Muslims, were killed by mobs this week, with hundreds more reported injured amid news accounts of largely useless police intervention to end the violence.
Earlier Story
Iran FM Calls on India to ‘Not Let Senseless Thuggery Prevail’
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