India at UN Human Rights Council says it's a secular country with no state religion

India is said to be a secular state with no state religion and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity. The claim came under criticism from pakistan over treatment of minoritites.

During the 27th session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group at the UNHCR, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi assures that the Indian Constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of the rights and interest of the minorities.

He also claimed that India makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen.He also said that the right to speech and freedom of expression occupies its perfect place in the core of the Indian Constitution.

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“As the world’s largest multi-layered democracy, we fully recognise the importance of free speech and expression. Our people are conscious of their political freedoms and exercise their choices at every opportunity,” Rohatgi told the member states.

The Pakistan delegation raised the Kashmir issue, demanding a complete ban on the use of pellet guns by Indian security forces.

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It also asked India to allow a UNHRC fact-finding team to visit Kashmir and review the situation. It also fired the issue of "mob violence" against the minorities including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Dalits.

(With inputs from PTI)