Pakistan President’s Remarks on Varanasi’s Ganj Shaheeda Mosque Draw Strong Response from India

Varanasi: A statement by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari regarding the Ganj Shaheeda Mosque in Varanasi has triggered a sharp response from India. The controversy emerged after Pakistan expressed concern over the future of the mosque, which has recently been served a notice by railway authorities as part of an ongoing station redevelopment project.

According to Pakistan’s Presidency, President Zardari raised concerns about what he described as threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India, specifically mentioning the Ganj Shaheeda Mosque in Varanasi. He urged India to protect minority rights and preserve shared cultural heritage. The statement also warned that actions affecting such sites could create social divisions and instability.

India strongly rejected the remarks. Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan had no authority to comment on India’s internal matters and described the remarks as baseless. He further stated that Pakistan’s record on minority rights undermined the credibility of its criticism and characterized the comments as politically motivated.

The Ganj Shaheeda Mosque issue is linked to the redevelopment and expansion of Kashi Railway Station in Varanasi. Railway authorities have issued a notice asking the occupants of the site to vacate the premises as part of the legal process for the project. The development has now attracted international attention following the exchange of statements between the two countries.

While the railway project remains an administrative and legal matter within India, the diplomatic exchange has added a new dimension to the issue, bringing it into the broader context of India-Pakistan relations and discussions surrounding religious heritage and minority rights.