CPIM MP John Brittas Counters Asim Munir’s ‘Hindus and Muslims Are Different’ Remark in Jakarta
CPIM MP John Brittas Counters Pakistan Army Chief’s Remarks on Religious Divide, Highlights India’s Secular Strength in Jakarta
During an official interaction with the Indian diaspora in Jakarta, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Member of Parliament John Brittas delivered a pointed rebuttal to recent comments made by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, regarding religious differences between Hindus and Muslims. Brittas, part of an all-party Indian delegation currently touring Southeast and East Asia, called Munir’s statements “divisive” and “misrepresentative of India’s inclusive character.”
Challenging a Divisive Narrative
General Asim Munir recently made headlines for claiming that Hindus and Muslims are “inherently different,” implying this distinction justified long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan. Responding publicly during the Jakarta interaction, Brittas firmly rejected this notion.
“Asim Munir said something about Hindus and Muslims being different. Can you ever vouch for that?” Brittas asked rhetorically, speaking to an audience of expatriate Indians. He emphasized that religious identity should not be used as a tool for division, especially in a nation like India that thrives on pluralism.
Standing beside senior Congress leader and former Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, Brittas used the diversity within the delegation itself as a living example of India’s inclusive ethos.
“I am from Kerala. I am a Christian. Salman Khurshid is here, a senior Muslim leader. We are all together. In Kerala, we have three major religions — Hindus, Muslims, and Christians — coexisting in harmony. That is the real message of India,” Brittas asserted.
Criticizing Pakistan’s Terror Links
Brittas also took the opportunity to address the broader context of India-Pakistan relations, especially in light of recent terror attacks and long-standing tensions. Referring to Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s admission in an April interview with Sky News, Brittas reminded the audience of Pakistan’s well-documented support for terrorism over the decades.
“Khwaja Asif himself admitted that they have been indulging in the dirty job of nurturing and harbouring terrorist organisations for over three decades,” Brittas said. “We don’t need more evidence. The facts are clear. It’s visible to the world who has been aiding and abetting terrorism.”
His comments were made in the backdrop of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead — most of them tourists. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group affiliated with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the assault.
India’s Longstanding Pursuit of Peace
Despite Pakistan’s aggressive posturing and support for terror networks, Brittas reiterated that India has consistently taken the high road in pursuit of peace. He cited India’s continued commitment to cooperative agreements, including the Indus Waters Treaty.
“India wants peace. The Indus Waters Treaty allowed Pakistan access to 80% of the waters — an extraordinary gesture of goodwill. Yet, Pakistan has repaid this with terrorism,” he noted. “That’s why India eventually decided — enough is enough. We want peace, but not at the cost of innocent lives.”
Brittas further emphasized the contrast between the two nations’ founding philosophies. “Pakistan chose to become a theocratic state. They shaped their identity around a single religion and continue to be provoked by hatred. India, on the other hand, took a different path. We chose democracy and secularism,” he said.
He also pointed out that India is home to the world’s second-largest Muslim population — over 200 million people — highlighting the success of India’s inclusive model compared to Pakistan’s religious nationalism.
A Delegation that Reflects Indian Democracy
The delegation visiting Indonesia is part of a larger diplomatic effort to present India’s position on regional security and bilateral cooperation following the recent escalation in cross-border terrorism. The multi-party team includes members from across the political spectrum: BJP, Congress, CPI(M), JD(U), and Trinamool Congress.
Led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, the group also includes Brij Lal (BJP), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), Hemang Joshi, Salman Khurshid (Congress), Mohan Kumar, and Pradan Baruah (BJP).
“The unique nature of this delegation is that out of five political parties represented, three are in opposition to the current government. Yet, we have come together for a shared mission — to present a unified Indian voice to the world,” Brittas explained. “This is the real India: democratic, diverse, and united.”
The delegation is scheduled to visit Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore as part of the diplomatic tour. The objective is not only to engage with Indian diaspora communities but also to counter misinformation and present India’s position on regional peace and counterterrorism measures to the international community.
Conclusion
John Brittas’ rebuttal to General Asim Munir’s remarks in Jakarta stands as a powerful reminder of India’s enduring commitment to secularism, pluralism, and peace. By invoking personal experience and historical context, Brittas offered a compelling counter-narrative to attempts at religious polarization, while reinforcing India’s stance against terrorism and its pursuit of international harmony.
As India continues to engage diplomatically across Asia in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, such interventions by leaders from across party lines project a rare and welcome unity in times of global scrutiny and regional instability.
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