At UN body, India says it is secular with no state religion

Mukul Rohatgi said constitution includes provisions for protection of rights, interest of minorities

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Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi addressing the media outside the Supreme Court after a hearing on the black money case in New Delhi on Wednesday. Rohatagi submitted to the court three sets of documents, which reportedly include names of over 600 peop

Press Trust of India BS Reporter Geneva/New Delhi

Last Updated : May 05 2017 | 2:07 AM IST

India on Thursday said it is a secular state with no state religion and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity, as it came under criticism from Pakistan over treatment of minorities.

Speaking at the 27th session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) in Geneva, attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi said the Indian constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of the rights and interest of the minorities.

Rohatgi, who led the Indian delegation at UNHCR, said India makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour, or religion of a citizen.

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