A group of MPs from the European Union, ahead of its visit to Jammu and Kashmir, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said their visit “should give them a clear picture of the development and governance preferences of the area”.
Twenty-seven EU MPs will fly tomorrow to Jammu and Kashmir, where restrictions are in place since the center’s decision to end special status to the state under Article 370 and split it into two union territories.
Sources said the group met PM Modi as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In a communique, the PM’s office said, “Prime Minister, while welcoming the delegation to India, expressed the hope that they have a fruitful visit to various parts of the country, including to Jammu and Kashmir. Their visit to J&K should give the delegation a more reliable perception of the social and religious differences of the region of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh; apart from providing them a fair sense of the development and governance preferences of the area.”
Without naming Pakistan, PM Modi told the EU lawmakers that urgent action was required against all those who support or sponsor terror activities and use terrorism as a state policy.
Last week, a group of US lawmakers expressed concern about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the Centre’s move to end the state’s special granted under the Constitution and bifurcate it into two union territories.
Alice Wells, the Acting US Assistant Secretary of State, had said the US State Department had “raised concerns with the Indian government regarding the detentions of residents and political leaders, including three previous Chief Ministers of J&K”.
“We have urged Indian authorities to respect human rights and restore full access to services, including internet and mobile networks,” she said at the meeting held last week.
The US had earlier agreed that the government’s move in Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter of India. The Centre had also assured the international community that it was taking steps to normalize the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Congress’s Jairam Ramesh hit out at the government for allowing the European lawmakers to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
When Indian political leaders have been prevented from meeting the people of J&K, what possessed the great chest-beating champion of nationalism to allow European politicians to visit J&K. This is an outright insult to India's own Parliament and our democracy! https://t.co/D48dnctRqE
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 28, 2019
Following the news of the visit, Iltija Javed, the daughter of detained Kashmiri leader Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted: “Hope they get a chance to speak to the people, local media, doctors and civil society members. The iron curtain between Kashmir & the world needs to be lifted and GOI must be held accountable for pushing J&K into turmoil”.
If 28 European Parliament members are allowed to take stock of situation in Kashmir, wonder why the same courtesy can’t be extended to American senators. Won’t be surprised if GOIs indulging in normalcy acrobatics again & orchestrating ‘normalcy’ certificates.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2019
A former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ms Mufti has been under detention since the government’s announcement of the move to end Kashmir’s special status in August. Two other former Chief Ministers of the state – 83-year-old Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah – are under detention as well.
The detention of more than 400 political leaders was a part of the Centre’s security measures following the announcement to prevent a backlash in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the last weeks, much of the restrictions have been lifted. Among other things, phone services – both landline and post-paid cellphone – have been restored, though cellphone internet is still out.
