United Nations, Nov 2: In a strong message to Pakistan exposing its “hypocrisy,” India has demanded that Islamabad end the “grave” human rights violations being committed by its forces as they suppress the people’s open revolt in the areas of Kashmir it illegally occupies.
“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 in parts of Kashmir it occupies,” said Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, while addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday.
“We call upon Pakistan to stop the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in an open revolt against Pakistan’s military occupation, repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources,” she said, while dismissing Islamabad’s repeated anti-India rhetoric.
Calling out Pakistan’s persistent attempts to malign India on international platforms, Mangalanandan said, “Repetitive allegations and lies change neither reality nor the truth. Pakistan’s double-speak and hypocrisy do not deserve the time and attention of this august forum.”
Highlighting the democratic participation of people in Jammu and Kashmir, she said their involvement in regular elections is a testament to India’s vibrant democracy. “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. The social and economic progress experienced by them is evident for all to see,” she asserted.
Mangalanandan also criticized Pakistan for distorting the principle of self-determination, saying it was “unfortunate that Pakistan has resorted to subversion of this principle by creating false equivalences.”
Referring to Pakistan’s oft-repeated claims that the UN Security Council had called for a plebiscite in Kashmir, she clarified that Resolution 47 of April 1948 first required Pakistan to withdraw all its troops and citizens from the region — a demand Islamabad continues to ignore while maintaining its illegal occupation.
“Let me reiterate that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India,” she declared.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to human rights, Mangalanandan said the country’s approach “stems from our freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasised non-violence and equality.” She added that this Gandhian legacy is enshrined in the Constitution, and that India’s domestic framework for human rights protection continues to evolve and strengthen.
“India has adopted progressive legislation and programmes to safeguard fundamental rights. Our judiciary has expanded human rights protections, while national and state Human Rights Commissions provide a robust institutional framework for their enforcement,” she concluded. (Agencies)
