India on Thursday strongly rejected allegations made by Pakistan and references to Jammu and Kashmir by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
Exercising India’s right of reply during the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Anupama Singh, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, accused Pakistan of using propaganda to divert attention from its domestic challenges and continued support for terrorism.
“India is compelled to exercise its right of reply in response to references made to it by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. We categorically reject the baseless and malicious allegations made by Pakistan. We also categorically reject the references to J&K made by the OIC,” Singh said.
She alleged that Pakistan was attempting to conceal its internal failures and support for terrorism through such claims.
“Pakistan’s propaganda is designed to mask its domestic failures and support for terrorism. Its misuse of the OIC Coordinator’s role only reinforces this deception,” she added.
Reaffirming New Delhi’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said, “Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. The only unresolved issue is Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Indian territories and their return.”
The Indian diplomat also drew attention to recent developments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), alleging that growing unrest in the region reflected longstanding governance and human rights concerns.
“The ongoing tragedy in Rawalakot, the killing of hundreds of civilians, and the brutal crackdown across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are the predictable outcome of a system built on forcible occupation and sustained through oppression. Decades of military land grabs, demographic engineering and the denial of basic freedoms have brought matters to a point where even demands for bread, electricity, rights and dignity are met with bullets and brutality,” Singh said.
Her remarks came amid reports of a security operation in Rawalakot on June 14. According to the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), security forces moved to disperse protesters staging a sit-in at the Eidgah site.
The organisation alleged that at least two people were killed and several others injured during the operation. JKJAAC further claimed that authorities used excessive force, disrupted communication services across Rawalakot, and imposed restrictions on the movement of food and essential supplies, exacerbating shortages in several areas.
India maintained that Pakistan’s claims regarding Jammu and Kashmir do not alter the ground realities and highlighted what it described as continued repression in Pakistan-occupied territories.
(With ANI inputs)
