India strongly criticised Pakistan for commenting on the Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag on the temple’s spire. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Pakistan’s statements and said the country had “no moral standing” to comment on India, especially when it continued to mistreat its own minorities.
The reaction came a day after the flag-hoisting event, which marked the completion of the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The ceremony was seen as an important moment for millions of devotees across India. Videos and photos of the event, with Prime Minister Modi leading the Dhwajarohan ritual, were widely shared.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media during the weekly briefing and responded sharply to Pakistan. He said India had seen the reported remarks made by Pakistan and rejected them “with the contempt they deserve.” He added that Pakistan had a long history of discrimination, repression and violence against its own minority communities.
According to Jaiswal, a country that had such a “deeply stained record of bigotry” had no right to give lectures to others. He said Pakistan should stop making statements about India and instead look within its own borders to fix its “abysmal human rights record” that had continued for many years. He added that Pakistan’s attempts to deliver “hypocritical homilies” would not change the reality of how it has treated its own population.
Pakistan had objected to the recent flag-hoisting at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Its statement claimed that the ceremony symbolised rising pressure on religious minorities in India and an attempt to erase Muslim heritage. This remark received a strong backlash from India, which said Pakistan was trying to interfere in India’s internal matters.
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On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. He hoisted a large saffron flag on the temple’s shikhar, an act symbolising the completion of the temple’s construction. Devotees gathered in large numbers in Ayodhya, while millions watched the ceremony live on television and online platforms.
The Dhwajarohan Utsav held at the temple was an emotional moment for many people. Prime Minister Modi said that participating in the ceremony in the holy city was a deeply moving experience for him. The Ram Temple, whose construction began after a historic court judgment, has been at the centre of national attention for years. The completion of the temple and the ceremonial flag hoisting were celebrated across the country.
While addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister spoke about the spiritual significance of the event. He emphasised that the flag represented devotion, sacrifice and the sentiment of millions of Indians. The saffron colour is symbolic of renunciation and purity in Indian culture, and its placement on the temple’s top was seen as a moment of pride for many followers of Lord Ram.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s criticism failed to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the ceremony. India reiterated that any attempt by Pakistan to comment on India’s internal matters would not be tolerated. Officials noted that Pakistan frequently commented on India while ignoring its own serious issues at home, particularly its treatment of minorities and its internal security failures.
In addition to responding to Pakistan, the MEA addressed another important issue during the briefing — the detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh in China. The individual was travelling with a valid passport and was in transit at Shanghai International Airport on his way to Japan. China reportedly detained him without a clear explanation.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reminded that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, a fact that India has repeatedly communicated. He said no statement or denial from the Chinese side could change this reality. India had raised the matter strongly with China both in Beijing and in New Delhi. The MEA made a formal demarche demanding an explanation and the safe release of the detained citizen.
Jaiswal stressed that China often made unfounded claims over Indian territory, but these claims were baseless. He added that India would continue to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens traveling abroad. The government is monitoring the situation closely and remains in touch with Chinese authorities.
The two issues — Pakistan’s remarks and China’s detention of an Indian citizen — show the kind of diplomatic pressures India is currently dealing with. However, India has made it clear that it will firmly respond to any false claims or interference from other countries. The MEA reaffirmed that India’s internal matters, such as the Ram Mandir ceremony, are not open for foreign comment or criticism.
As celebrations continued in Ayodhya after the Dhwajarohan ceremony, the government maintained that the event represented cultural pride, unity and a long-awaited moment in Indian history. The saffron flag on the Ram Temple stands as a symbol of faith and dedication, while the political responses surrounding it highlight India’s strong stance on national sovereignty and religious freedom.
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