The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently came under criticism from India due to its stance on the ongoing hijab issue in Karnataka. India opposed the OIC’s call for the UN Human Rights Council to intervene, labeling the organization as “communal minded”. Tensions have also surfaced due to India’s standing within the OIC and the impact of international politics and policies on India’s interests.
The Recent Controversy Between OIC & India
A contentious situation arose when the OIC issued a statement expressing concern over the prohibition of Muslim girl students wearing the hijab in Karnataka schools. The organization urged India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of the Muslim community while protecting their way of life. This suggestion did not sit well with India, which responded by asserting its democratic values and insisting that internal issues will be resolved according to its constitutional framework and mechanisms, as well as democratic ethos and polity. Subsequently, India reproached the OIC for exhibiting “communal” tendencies and being “hijacked by vested interests,” a hidden jibe likely targeting Pakistan.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Established in September 1969 after an act of arson at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization following the United Nations. With 57 member states, it represents the collective voice of the Muslim world, working towards preserving the interests of this community in the spirit of promoting global peace and harmony. The OIC has its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
India’s Relationship with the OIC
Despite having the world’s second-largest Muslim population, India’s relationship with the OIC has been complicated. Invited to the founding conference in 1969, India was embarrassingly expelled due to Pakistan’s influence. India resisted joining the OIC, predominantly a religion-based organization, to avoid jeopardizing bilateral relations with individual member states over contentious issues like Kashmir.
Despite these complexities, India has managed to foster close ties with powerful OIC members such as UAE and Saudi Arabia, enabling it to weather potentially contentious statements by the group. India has constantly emphasized that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and an internal matter, thereby denying the OIC any role in the issue.
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India appeared for the first time at the OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2019, as a “guest of honor.” This invitation was considered a diplomatic victory for India, particularly considering the heightened tensions with Pakistan post the Pulwama attack.
Through strategic maneuvering and relationship-building efforts with influential OIC members, India continues to stand firm on its democratic principles and constitutional authority to handle internal matters, even as it navigates the complexities of global politics and policies.
