'Factually incorrect and politically motivated': India on Turkish President Erdogan's statement on Delhi riots

Addressing a weekly briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "Turkish President's statement on Delhi riots are factually incorrect and driven by his own political agenda. India does not expect such statements to come out from the head of a state."

"We made a strong démarche with the ambassador of Turkey, here in Delhi on 3rd of March on the statement," he added.

Referring to the observations made on various international fora on the Delhi violence, he said, "We are seeing various statements being made on international fora. At this stage we would like to highlight that the situation is fast returning to normal. You are aware, the law enforcement agencies are working on ground to restore confidence and maintain law and order situation.

"At this sensitive time, we would like to urge people not to make any irresponsible comments and not to be influenced by the selective and unsubstantiated narratives."

According to reports, after the Delhi riots broke out, ErdoÄŸan had condemned India over the violence describing the country a place where widespread massacres of Muslims by Hindus take place. He had even said that Muslim students studying in private tuition centers had been accosted with metal sticks.

India, in return, had slammed ErdoÄŸan for interfering in India's internal matters and had also warned Turkey against supporting cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.

"I can but only advise Turkey to refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of India and develop a better understanding of the democratic practices," First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission Vimarsh Aryan had said after Pakistan raised concerns over human rights violations Jammu and Kashmir, exercising the right of reply, reports had said.

The Turkish president sees himself as a defender of Islam and has been lately issuing statements concerning the faith and its followers across the world.

At least 47 people including an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer have died and over 300 injured in the violence which initially had started between the protesters and supporters of the CAA but later took a communal spin.

The violence went on for 48 hours between Feb 24 and 25.