Already wary of vested interests such as Pakistan trying to exploit the situation resulting from the Prophet row, India is not happy with China making comments on this issue. New Delhi believes that Beijing chose to react to the controversy over the ‘Prophet remark’ with the only motive of diverting global focus from its atrocities against Uygur Muslims in the volatile Xinjiang province. With its treatment of Uighurs receiving global criticism, China is always looking for an opportunity to shift the focus away from its own region. “China could have avoided giving reaction to the Prophet row, but it made it a point to come out with some comments. It suggests that Beijing is trying to exploit the issue to divert the attention from its own wrongdoings in Xinjiang province where it has failed to address the issues despite the condemnation by the UN and other world forums,” diplomats keeping a watch over developments in China told The Daily Guardian Review.
“This is the beginning as there would be more statements from China on this issue,” sources added. What is common knowledge is that China itself faces serious allegations of a mass crack
down on Uygur Muslims in the Xinjiang province. What is also worth recalling is that its actions in Xinjiang have repeatedly come under the scanner of the international community.
What the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in reaction is contrary to what is in practice in that country, say officials. Wenbin said, “China always believes that different civilizations and religions should respect each other and live together as equals.” “It is always important to discard pride and prejudice, better understand the differences between one’s own civilization and other civilizations, and promote exchanges, dialogue and harmonious coexistence between civilizations,” Wenbin added.
Diplomats here ridicule these views from China, given its own records in terms of human rights and policy of accommodating the thinking of all the sections of the society. “China itself stands exposed in terms of its treatment of Uighurs and Tibetans,” officials say.
Bangladeshi Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud chose not to comment on this issue saying that is India’s internal matter. Hasan even congratulated for action against those who made remarks on Prophet Muhammad. “Chinese spokesperson happily reacted to it, while stopping short of appreciating action against the leaders,” officials say. Even, several Islamic nations have appreciated India’s action so far, China did not utter a single word like that, officials add.
“With Pakistan already working on the agenda to foment troubles for India over this issue, China may also be hand in gloves with it,” officials say.
The Indian diplomats also say that some of Islamic nations including Qatar have been silent on China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in its own province in what exposes their hypocritical attitude. This despite the fact that the UN members condemned China over the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Around 43 nations urged Beijing to protect human rights to allow independent monitors into the region. U.S. President Joe Biden once signed into law legislation that banned imports from China’s Xinjiang region over concerns about forced labor and atrocities on the Uyghurs.
