India rejects ‘politically motivated, malicious references' in UN panel's rights report | India News - Hindustan Times

**India Rejects “Politically Motivated, Highly Malicious” References in UN Rights Panel Report**

New York – A United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released a concluding report on 23 August that singled out India for alleged “systemic profiling of Muslims” in the wake of the July 2023 Pahalgam terror attack. The document also called for the suspension of several large‑scale development projects on Great Nicobar Island until comprehensive environmental and social impact studies are completed, citing concerns for the indigenous Shompen community and the island’s fragile ecosystem. The panel’s language, which described the Indian government’s actions as “politically motivated and highly malicious,” has provoked a sharp rebuttal from New Delhi.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a formal response on 24 August, describing the UN panel’s remarks as “unwarranted, factually inaccurate and politically motivated.” The statement stressed that security operations following the Pahalgam incident were conducted in accordance with the rule of law and targeted only those directly linked to terrorism, not an entire religious community. Regarding Great Nicobar, the ministry asserted that the projects—focused on strategic infrastructure and renewable energy—have undergone rigorous assessments and comply with national environmental regulations, and therefore should not be halted on the basis of “unsubstantiated” claims. New Delhi also reminded the UN body that sovereign nations retain the right to determine their internal security and development priorities without external interference.

Analysts note that the exchange underscores a growing tension between international human‑rights mechanisms and India’s emphasis on national sovereignty. While the UN panel’s findings may prompt further dialogue in the next session of the Human Rights Council, India has signaled its intent to defend its policies through diplomatic channels and, if necessary, legal avenues. The episode adds to a broader pattern of disputes in which India contests UN critiques that it perceives as reflecting geopolitical biases rather than objective assessments.