India Criticizes UN Human Rights Chief for Remarks on Kashmir and Manipur

India criticized UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk for his remarks on Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, labeling them as unfounded and based on selective observations. Permanent Representative Arindam Bagchi defended India’s societal diversity and progress, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, while urging for a nuanced understanding of such complex issues in UN updates.

India has formally criticized UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk due to his recent remarks regarding the situations in Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur. Arindam Bagchi, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, characterized the High Commissioner’s comments as “unfounded and baseless” during the UN Human Rights Council’s 58th session. He noted that the terminology used was too vague and displayed an inclination to selectively highlight certain issues.

In his address, Mr. Bagchi asserted that India, the world’s largest democracy, is a thriving and pluralistic society. He pointed out that the concerns expressed in the UN update do not align with the actual conditions present in India, stating, “The people of India have repeatedly proven wrong such misplaced concerns about us,” and emphasized the need for a more profound understanding of India’s diversity.

Mr. Bagchi specifically addressed the mention of Kashmir in the High Commissioner’s update, stating that it was an “erroneous” characterization. He highlighted the region’s advancements in peace and development over the past year, noting significant electoral participation, a surge in tourism, and rapid development. He called for a “genuine update” to reflect the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir.

Furthermore, the Indian representative raised concerns over the UN’s generalizations in its global updates, describing them as overly simplistic and reductive. He stated, “At a larger level, we are concerned about global updates, oversimplifications of complex issues, sweeping and generalized remarks,” thus emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding in addressing such complex matters.

Mr. Bagchi concluded by suggesting that addressing the pervasive unease mentioned by the High Commissioner requires introspection and reflection within the office of the High Commissioner itself.

India’s formal rebuttal against the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights underscores its commitment to present a realistic view of its diverse society and situational dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir. It reaffirms the need for careful analysis when discussing human rights issues and highlights India’s progress, advocating for a more balanced perspective in global discussions about human rights.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com