Post by : Rameen Ariff

At the United Nations General Assembly, India sharply criticized Pakistan for its "hypocrisy" and called on Islamabad to end severe human rights abuses in the parts of Kashmir that Pakistan illegally occupies. Bhavika Managalanandan, First Secretary at India’s UN Mission, condemned Pakistan’s ongoing military repression and the brutal crackdown on civilians agitating for their basic rights and freedoms in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“In the last few weeks alone, the occupying Pakistani forces and their proxies have killed many innocent civilians who are agitating for their basic rights and freedoms,” Managalanandan said on Friday, emphasizing the urgent need to halt the grave violations.

Highlighting Pakistan’s frequent and baseless accusations against India at the UN, she remarked, “Repetitive allegations and lies change neither reality nor the truth.” She dismissed Pakistan’s double standards as undeserving of the forum’s time and attention, calling out Islamabad’s attempts to misrepresent facts surrounding Kashmir.

Managalanandan underscored India’s democratic credentials by pointing to the active participation of Kashmir’s people in elections as proof of India’s commitment to democratic values and progress. “We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the people of India and the democratic choices regularly exercised, including by the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. The ongoing social and economic development in the region is “evident for all to see,” she added.

The Indian diplomat also refuted Pakistan’s misuse of the principle of self-determination, accusing Islamabad of “resorting to false equivalences” to justify its illegal occupation. She clarified that the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 47 from April 1948 explicitly ordered Pakistan to withdraw troops and civilians from Kashmir, a demand that remains unfulfilled.

“Let me reiterate that the union territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India,” Managalanandan affirmed, reinforcing India’s sovereignty over the region.

Reaffirming India’s dedication to human rights, she traced its foundation to the nation’s freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing non-violence and equality. The Gandhian legacy is enshrined in India’s Constitution, and its domestic framework for protecting human rights continues to evolve. India has enacted progressive laws and programs to safeguard fundamental rights, with the judiciary expanding protections and Human Rights Commissions at national and state levels offering a structured framework for upholding these rights.

As tensions persist in the region, India’s firm stance at the UN highlights its call for Pakistan to cease its military occupation and end the violence and human rights abuses inflicted on innocent civilians in PoK.

#world news #Global News