The Centre’s move to invite 27 European Union MPs to visit Jammu and Kashmir has faced a substantial amount of criticism, as it comes when Indian leaders themselves are being prevented from visiting the region. More so, because barring two, all of the 27 EU parliamentarians are from right-wing parties.
Apart from that, it has been reported that the European Union MPs have been invited in their private capacity, and its not an official EU delegation.
Political leaders across party lines have slammed the Centre’s move to invite 27 EU parliamentarians to visit J&K in a diplomatic outreach that will allow EU leaders to "see things for themselves" in Kashmir and help it counter Pakistan's narrative.
Something Very Wrong: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said there was something very wrong with European MPs being given a guided tour of Jammu and Kashmir and Indian MPs denied entry there.
"MPs from Europe are welcome to go on a guided tour of Jammu & Kashmir while Indian MPs are banned and denied entry. There is something very wrong with that," he said on Twitter.
Modi Govt’s Fake Nationalism an Insult to Parliament: Surjewala
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said by allowing EU MPs to visit Kashmir and not allowing Indian MPs in the valley is an insult to India's Parliament.
He said Jammu and Kashmir belongs to India and "we will deal with it". But he asked why the foreign MPs were made stakeholders in Kashmir.
"Jammu and Kashmir belongs to us, then how did those from European Union come. It is our matter and we will handle it. But, why did Modiji make European Union as Kashmir's stakeholder. While MPs of other countries have the right to visit Kashmir, why do our own not have that right? This Modi government's fake nationalism is an insult to Parliament," he alleged in a tweet in Hindi.
Insult to Indian Democracy: Shashi Tharoor
Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor also called the move an insult to Indian democracy, saying that Indian leaders are not being allowed, even after he put forth a demand for an all-party delegation to be sent in the Parliament.
“My request, made during the Lok Sabha debate on Article 370, for an All-Party delegation of MPs to visit to see the situation for themselves, has still not been accepted. But members of the EuropeanParliament can travel as our Government's guests?,” Tharoor said in a tweet.
Insult to India’s Democracy and Ultimate Disrespect to Sovereignity: Anand Sharma
Congress MP Anand Sharma questioned the government on Monday, 28 October for allowing European Parliament members to visit Jammu and Kashmir but preventing Indian leaders from doing so, claiming it was an insult to India's democracy and "ultimate disrespect" to its sovereignty.
“Government rolling out the red carpet to EU MPs to briefing them and inviting them to visit Jammu and Kashmir is a disrespect to the sovereignty of the Indian Parliament and the violation of the privileges of Indian MPs,” Congress MP Anand Sharma said
Govt Orchestrating Normalcy Certificates: Mehbooba Mufti
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, whose twitter account is being handled by her daughter, said that the she hopes that the EU MPs get a chance to talk to the local people in the regions. She said that the curtain that separates Kashmir from the world needs to be lifted and the Government must be held accountable for pushing J&K into turmoil.
Mufti also said that why did the government not invite American senators to visit Kashmir, indicating that the government will again try to ‘orchestrate’ normalcy.
She also said that it fits perfectly into the Centre’s plan as the visit coincides with the board exams of over 60,000 students in Kashmir.
Calling the centre’s move a lose-lose situation, Mufti also said that if the delegation says things are normal, the government will have to restore internet and other services to the region. Otherwise, she said it will be an embarrassment.
As Mufti went on slamming the government over the move, she also said that the ticket to Kashmir is possible only if one is a fascist with a visceral hatred for muslims.
Explains Why Our MPs Are Not Being Allowed Visit: Sitaram Yechury
The skewed composition of the group was also called into question by CPI(M) Chief Sitaram Yechury who wrote on Twitter that the lawmakers are “overwhelmingly from ultra-right wing pro-fascist parties having relations with BJP”.
Citing his own example, Yechury also said that he now understands why other MPs are not being allowed to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
Yechury was allowed to visit Kashmir, after getting the Supreme Court’s permission, to inquire about the health of his party colleague Tarigami. He was not allowed to attend any political meeting or interact with the media during his visit.
Perversion of National Policy: Subramanian Swamy
Expressing surprise, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy also criticized the Centre for the outreach saying that it is a perversion of our national policy. He also urged the government to cancel the visit on immoral grounds.
The group of 27 EU lawmakers will travel to JK on Tuesday, 29 October in the first visit by a foreign delegation to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August.
The government has said the diplomatic outreach will allow EU leaders to "see things for themselves" in Kashmir and help it counter Pakistan's narrative.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)