At a private event organised by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri in New York City on Saturday, 23 November, Indian Consul General to United States, Sandeep Chakravorty called for an Israel-like model for Kashmir.
The event attended by several Indian nationals, including Kashmiri Pandits, was organised to discuss the theme of the filmmaker’s upcoming project based on the forced displacement of Kashmiri Hindus in the early 1990s.
Speaking about the government’s move to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August, the Consular General said that the Kashmiri Hindus will soon be able to head back home.
“I believe the security situation will improve, it will allow the refugees to go back, because we already have a model in the world. It has happened in the Middle East. If the Israeli people can do it, we can also do it. I don’t know why we don’t follow it. It has happened in the Middle East. If the Israeli people can do it, we can also do it.”Sandeep Chakravorty, Indian Consul-General
What is noteworthy is that the Consul General was speaking in his official capacity at the event attended by Bollywood actor Anupam Kher among other notable personalities. Parts of the event were also broadcast live on Facebook by Vivek Agnihotri.
What About the ‘Normalcy’ Claims?
The statement made by the Consul General comes in sharp contrast with the government’s claims of complete ‘normalcy’ in the Valley. Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have on multiple instances reiterated the fact that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is absolutely normal.
Speaking on the floor of Rajya Sabha on 20 November, Amit Shah assured that the government is constantly monitoring the situation.
“The situation there was always normal. There were many notions spread all over the world. There is total normalcy prevailing.”Amit Shah, Home Minister
Similarly, at numerous international platforms, S Jaishankar has repeatedly asserted that the situation in Kashmir is normal and all restrictions will be rolled back soon.
Blaming Pakistan for deliberately peddling fake news on Kashmir, S Jaishankar speaking at Washington said, “Painting apocalyptic scenarios has been part of Pakistan’s game plan for Kashmir, but New Delhi is confident of bringing normalcy in the Valley.
However, the Consul General’s comments endorsing an Israel-like model in Kashmir paints a different picture. The Israel-Palestine conflict has been one the longest-running and most controversial conflicts of the world. The Modi government since day 1 has maintained that situation in Kashmir should not be compared with the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
On 5 August, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
Comment Draws Flak on Social Media
Many people took to social media to call out the Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty for his comments claiming that he sidelined the cause of 8 million Kashmiri Muslims.
‘Statement Blown Out of Proportion,’ Says CG
Coming out in his defence, Sandeep Chakravorty took to Twitter to say that his remarks were being taken out of context.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)