India Condemns Khamenei's 'Suffering of Muslims' Remark: "Look at Your Own Record"

India has strongly condemned remarks made by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regarding the alleged "suffering of Muslims" in India. In a firm response, the Indian government deemed Khamenei’s comments as "misinformed" and "unacceptable," urging nations to review their own human rights records before passing judgments on others.

Khamenei made these remarks while addressing global Muslim communities on the occasion of Prophet Mohammed's birth anniversary, during which he highlighted the struggles faced by Muslims in various regions, including India, Gaza, and Myanmar. "We cannot consider ourselves Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India, or any other place," Khamenei stated in his post on X (formerly Twitter).

India's Strong Response

In its official statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) deplored the Iranian leader's comments, stressing that they were "misinformed and unacceptable." The MEA also emphasized that countries making remarks on minority issues should introspect before making such observations. "Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others," the statement concluded.

Context of Khamenei's Remarks

Khamenei's comments came on a significant day for Iran, coinciding with the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini. Thousands of Iranian women took to the streets in protest, defying the mandatory headscarf rule, in memory of Amini, who died in custody after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating hijab regulations. Amini’s death in September 2022 sparked widespread outrage and protests against the Iranian government’s treatment of women and minorities.

India-Iran Relations

India and Iran have historically maintained strong bilateral relations, with ongoing cooperation in key areas such as the strategic Chabahar port. Recent diplomatic visits, including Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar's trip to Iran in May and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's participation in the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new President in July, reflect the importance of this relationship. Despite the current controversy, the diplomatic partnership between the two nations remains intact.