Image Source: DNA India

Agencies:

"Inaccurate, Deplorable": India rejects UN Special Reps over J&K remarks

New Delhi
February 19, 2021

India on Thursday hit out at two UN Special Rapporteurs for criticizing its policies towards Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the region is an "integral and inalienable" part of the country.
India's reaction came after Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, and Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, made adverse comments on withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special powers in 2019.

Their comments were part of a press release published on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In response to media queries, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the press release has been deliberately timed to coincide with the visit of a group of foreign ambassadors to Jammu and Kashmir.

"The press release disregards the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India and the decision of August 5, 2019, regarding the change in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory of India was taken by the Parliament of India," he said.

Mr. Srivastava said the press release failed to take into account the steps aimed at ending decades of discrimination, enshrining democracy at the grassroots level through successful conduct of local elections for the District Development Councils (DDC), and ensuring good governance.

"The press release has ignored the positive impact of extending laws applicable to the rest of India to Jammu and Kashmir, enabling the people of Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy the same rights as available to people in other parts of India," he said.