India slams Pakistan's criticism of Waqf Act as 'Motivated, baseless’

New Delhi: India sharply criticised Pakistan's criticism of the Waqf Amendment Act on Tuesday, saying Islamabad should look at its own "abysmal" record of defending minority' rights before preaching to others.

Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, branded Pakistan's comments on the law as "motivated and baseless," claiming that the neighbouring country lacks the locus standi to comment on an internal matter in India.

New Delhi's reaction came after a spokesperson of the Pakistan Foreign Office alleged that the Waqf law is an "infringement" over the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims, PTI reported.

"We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India," Jaiswal said.

The MEA spokesperson was responding to media queries regarding comments made by Pakistan on the law.

"Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India," he said.

"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," Jaiswal added.

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson reportedly called the Waqf Amendment Act an attempt to "dispossess" Muslims from their properties including mosques and shrines.

"We strongly believe it is an infringement over the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims," the official reportedly alleged on Thursday.

There are serious apprehensions that it (the law) will contribute to "further marginalisation" of Indian Muslims, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson added.