Backing the Union government on the abrogation of Article 370, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor came down heavily on Pakistan saying the opposition parties are firmly behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter of taking the issue of Jammu and Kashmir to the United Nations.
According to media reports, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said Pakistan has no locus standi as far as the internal matters of India are concerned and added that although the opposition may criticise the government on the issue of Kashmir, they stand as one when the issue is raised outside India. "We will not give an inch to Pakistan," ANI quoted him as saying.
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The Congress leader was reacting to reports of Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi leaving for Geneva to attend the 42nd session of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where he is expected to raise the Kashmir issue. There are also reports that Pakistan has been planning to have a special session of UNHRC on the issue of Kashmir and has been trying to get the support of 16 of the 47 member countries.
Tharoor, however, admitted that the people in Kashmir are facing harsh times and added that the opposition will continue taking up the issue with the government. "We must understand that the ordeals faced by our Kashmiri brethren are real. The people were left without internet and telephones. Political leaders were detained," he was quoted as saying.
When asked about the prime minister's upcoming address at the United Nations General Assembly, he said the PM is heard with respect at the UN and he should go and speak. "We are with him," the Congress leader added.
