India on Tuesday strongly rejected Pakistan’s criticism of the newly passed Waqf Act, calling Islamabad’s remarks “baseless and motivated,” and asserting that the matter is entirely internal.
In a firm statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan had “no locus standi” to comment on Indian legislation and should instead examine its own “abysmal record” on minority rights.
“We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India. Pakistan would do better to look at its own abysmal record when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities, instead of preaching to others.”
The remarks came in response to Pakistan’s condemnation of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was recently passed in the Lok Sabha. Islamabad had alleged that the legislation aimed to “dispossess Muslims from their properties, including mosques and shrines, and marginalise the minorities.”
India has consistently maintained that its legislative processes are sovereign and aimed at reforming governance within a constitutional framework, without targeting any community.
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