A UN expert has deplored the flare-up in some countries of religious intolerance resulting from the coronavirus, and called for ensuring that the pandemic was not “twisted” for political or economic gains, APP reports.

"I am alarmed to see the upsurge in incitement to hatred, scapegoating of religious or belief communities, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims, for the spread of virus," the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, said in a statement issued in Geneva on Wednesday.

He urged authorities in the countries where minorities and ethnic groups have been blamed for the spread of the virus to clamp down on hate speech and religious intolerance.

In India, the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials have blamed the Tableeghi Jamaat for spreading the virus, which has led to a spree of anti-Muslim attacks across the country, as well as denial of health and other facilities to the victims.