India responded to Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's comments on the Kashmir issue at the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) on Tuesday, 10 September.
While addressing the issue, Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India's stand that the country will not accept interference.
“We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like other legislations passed by the Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India.”
The Centre in early August had abrogated Article 370 which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Centre’s Kashmir Move End Promote Socio-Economic Equality’
Stating that India's "democracy is unshakable", Singh said the government is taking affirmative actions to promote socio-economic equality and that the steps taken by the Centre in Kashmir will ensure application of these measures to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
“There will be an end to gender discrimination, including on property rights and local bodies representation. There will be better protection of juvenile rights and laws against domestic violence. The rights to education, information and work will now be applicable. Longstanding discrimination against refugees and under privileged sections will end.”
Pakistan had demanded an international investigation by the UN Human Rights Council into the Kashmir situation and urged the world rights body not to remain “indifferent”.
"We must not allow this august body to be embarrassed on the world stage. As a founding member of this Council, Pakistan feels morally and ethically bound to prevent this from occurring," he said.
‘Democratic Processes Initiated, Restrictions Eased Continuously’
Earlier in the day, Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi had asked UNHRC to urge India to "reverse the curfew" in the erstwhile state.
Singh in her statement assured that restrictions are being eased continuously and temporary preventive and precautionary measures were necessitated to ensure safety and security.
“Despite challenging circumstances, Jammu & Kashmir’s Civil Administration is ensuring basic services, essential supplies, normal functioning of institutions, mobility and nearly full connectivity.”
“Temporary preventive and precautionary measures were necessitated to ensure safety and security of our citizens in the face of credible threats of cross-border terrorism,” she added.
‘Fabricated Narrative From Epicentre of Global Terrorism’: India Hits Back at Pak
Highlighting terrorism concerns, India said supporters of terrorism in any form are the worst violators of human rights.
“The world, in particular, India, has suffered greatly on account of the activities by practitioners of state sponsored terrorism and it is time to collectively take decisive and firm action against terror groups and their abettors who threaten the fundamental human right to life. We must speak out.”
Singh added that those who are misusing this platform for malicious political agendas under the garb of human rights should be called out.
“Those who are attempting to speak on the human rights of minorities in other countries whilst trampling upon them at will in their own country, they cry victim when they actually are the perpetrators.”
“The world is aware that this fabricated narrative comes from the epicentre of global terrorism, where ring leaders were sheltered for years.”
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)