New Delhi (NVI): Vandalism and defacement of centuries-old Indian Buddhist heritage in Gilgit-Baltistan has earned the wrath of India, which asked Pakistan today to immediately vacate these illegally-occupied territories where people are being subjected to gross violation of political, economic and cultural rights.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said India has sought immediate access for Indian experts to the area in order to restore and preserve this invaluable archaeological heritage which has been defaced.
“We have conveyed our strong concern at reports of vandalism, defacement and destruction of invaluable Indian Buddhist heritage located in so called “Gilgit-Baltistan” area of the Indian territory under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan,” Srivastava said.
He said it was a matter of grave concern that the Buddhist symbols are being destroyed and the religious and cultural rights and freedoms are being trampled with impunity in the Indian territories under illegal occupation of Pakistan.
“Egregious activities of this nature which display contempt for the ancient civilizational and cultural heritage are highly condemnable,” he said.
“We have once again called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all illegally occupied territories and end gross violation of political, economic and cultural rights of people living there,” the MEA spokesman said.
His comment came in the wake of reports about defacement and vandalism of Buddhist architecture in Gilgit-Baltistan, including destruction of inscriptions.
