Face-off on Kashmir at UNHRC : India rejects Pakistan's malicious campaign

Geneva : Revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status was a sovereign decision taken by the Indian Parliament and the country cannot accept any interference in its internal affairs, India on Tuesday asserted at the UN Human Rights Council, while strongly rejecting Pakistan's "malicious" campaign on the issue.

Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry Vijay Thakur Singh, in a clear reference to Pakistan, said there was a need to call out those who are misusing the UNHRC for malicious political agenda under the garb of human rights.

"They cry victim when they actually are the perpetrators," she said, rejected Pakistan's charges against India on the issue at the 42nd session of the UNHRC.

She said the recent legislative measures taken by India in Jammu and Kashmir were within the framework of its Constitution. "These decisions were taken by our Parliament after a full debate that was televised and enjoyed widespread support.

We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like other legislations passed by Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India," Singh said.

Pakistan demanded an international investigation by the UN Human Rights Council into the situation in Kashmir and urged the world rights body not to remain "indifferent" after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, leading the Pakistani delegation, said the top UN rights body should not be embarrassed on the world stage by its inaction over the issue.

He said the UNHRC must not remain indifferent to the situation in Kashmir after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

"Today, I have knocked on the doors of the Human Rights Council, the repository of the world's conscience on human rights, to seek justice and respect for the people of Kashmir," he said.

Qureshi asked the Council to urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout, restore fundamental freedoms and liberties, release political prisoners and fulfil obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and various human rights instruments, as required by international law.

Earlier Pakistan, which has been desperately trying to highlight Jammu and Kashmir at international forums since India ended its special status under Article 370,today called it an "Indian state".

Pakistan, in all its official communication so far, has referred to Jammu and Kashmir as "India Administered Kashmir".

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is leading a Pakistan delegation at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, asked why New Delhi does not allow international media and organisations into the "Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir."

India objects to J-K in China-Pak statement India objected to the reference made to Jammu and Kashmir in a China-Pakistan joint statement issued after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Islamabad.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also talked about the China-Pakistan economic corridor in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir, asserting that India is "resolutely opposed" to any actions by other countries to change the status quo in the region.

"We reject the reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan after the recent visit of the Chinese foreign minister. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India," he said, responding to a question on the issue.

Union minister Jitendra Singh said the biggest achievement during the 100 days of the Modi government's second term is the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and "our next agenda" is making PoK an integral part of India.