The Anti-India (Kashmir) Propaganda in UK Parliament
In the last couple of years, the number of cease fire violations on the Line of Control (LOC) have risen steeply. According to Indian authorities, the unprovoked firing by the Pakistani army is aimed at infiltrating trained militants into Kashmir. Lives of many innocent civilians are also lost during these heavy shellings. There were 437 ceasefire violations by Pakistan till November 2016, killing 37 and injuring 179 on the Indian side. In a recent report to the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, it was stated that there are at least 200 terrorists active in Jammu & Kashmir. Cease fire violations in the last few years are known to intensify during festive and harvesting seasons. The mainly agricultural border population suffers heavy economic losses. With the firing starting just around the harvesting time, it chases away the labour working in the fields. The shells lying on the farmlands makes them inaccessible.
In response to the huge Propaganda call made by these 27 MPs for India to abide by UN Resolutions, they may note that it was India that, on January 1 1948, went as a complainant to the UN asking that Pakistan vacate the territory it had occupied, the Indian delegation was led by the Kashmiri leader, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah . O n 4 Feb 1948, the U S Representative to the UN Security Council stated: with the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India, this foreign sovereignty went over to India and is exercised by India and that is how India happens to be here as a petitioner.
As for the issue of human rights violations, the Indian Government has continuously sought to maintain transparency in the state. International and Indian media personnel, foreign diplomats, the International Committee of the Red Cross, all have had free access to Jammu and Kashmir. The National Human Rights Commission of India and the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission are performing a stellar role in taking cognizance of, and enquiring into, allegations of every human rights violation by security forces and initiating punitive action, in case necessary. The NHRC has undertaken, at its own discretion, investigations intoincidents where human rights were reported to have been violated and where these have been substantiated, it has called for punitive action. The parliamentarians speaking on 19th January 2017, were obviously not given these necessary details of the issue by the propagandists and it is shocking to see them not do their own homework either!
The Home Minister of India has announced an expert committee to find alternatives to pallet guns. The Chief Minister of the State who is democratically elected has met the prime minister to discuss the situation. The Parliament has seen four debates on the situation in Kashmir in its Monsoon session. An All Party Meeting held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister on 12th August 2016, saw consensus across the political spectrum on early restoration of normalcy, as well as unanimity on the need for Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism and infiltration. The High Court of J&K has asked the government to submit a report on use of pallets, relax curfew in certain areas and resume telephone services. The government has expressed its willingness to talk to all mainstream organisations, moderates and other organisations to ensure a democratic solution to the law and order problem.
It is important to not forget that the fundamental reason for the situation in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. Pakistan’s continued support for terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir is the main challenge to protecting the human rights of the subjects of the State. Pakistan’s selective approach in tackling terror groups operating outside Pakistan and within, despite the numerous solemn promises made underscores the continuing unwillingness to acknowledge the truth.
Government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 to not allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India. The persistent and growing violation of this undertaking is a matter of very serious concern and we call upon our friends to persuade Pakistan to abide by its 2004 commitment.
India also awaits credible action by the Government of Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2016 Pathankot attack to justice.
Indian Governments of all colours have consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and that the matter is internal for India alone. It rejects all third party interference. India is committed to holding dialogues with Pakistan on all outstanding issues including Jammu & Kashmir, through a direct bilateral dialogue process as mandated in the Shimla Agreement. A partisan debate, such as the one held recently in UK Parliament, has the potential to cause serious harm to bilateral relations between the UK and India and therefore, also the interests of Britain. It would cause a great harm to liberal, democratic & civilized western world. It sends a message that the largest democracy in the world is not trusted by Britain; while a country (Pakistan) where minorities are exterminated, military coups are a norm and terrorist camps are rife, is favoured.
Encouragement of such debates and the media coverage encourages the extremists with Jehadi mentality to bring their reprehensible fight closer to the British soil.
