New Delhi, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India on Tuesday rejected Pakistan’s attempts to associate itself with the pluralistic cultural legacy of the Indus Valley Civilisation, saying a country accused of promoting cross-border terrorism and religious fundamentalism cannot claim ownership of such a heritage.
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticised Pakistan’s record on minority rights and cultural protection while responding to remarks from Pakistani voices highlighting a “shared legacy”.
“A country which has been promoting cross-border terrorism, which has been promoting religious fundamentalism and violence for decades, cannot have any claim to any pluralistic cultural legacy,” Jaiswal said.
He added that Pakistan’s “abysmal track record” in protecting minorities and their cultural rights made such claims appear “desperate” and “phony”.
The remarks came after Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar recently said that the country’s identity was linked to the banks and tributaries of the River Indus.
During the briefing, Jaiswal also criticised the recently held “so-called” assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), describing them as a “cosmetic electoral exercise” aimed at projecting legitimacy over what India describes as Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
Reiterating India’s position, the MEA spokesperson said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including areas under Pakistan’s control, are integral and inalienable parts of India.
Jaiswal also referred to reports of clashes, allegations of electoral irregularities and violence during the first phase of polling in PoJK, saying the developments reflected the region’s broader grievances.
He said the ongoing protests in PoJK were a result of economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression by Pakistan.
The MEA spokesperson’s comments came amid reports of escalating unrest in PoJK, where protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee have resulted in casualties and clashes with security forces.
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