India on Friday launched a broadside against Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing the neighbouring country of “grave” human rights abuses in the areas of Kashmir it has illegally occupied.
In an apparent reference to the recent revolt in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, New Delhi said the Pakistani forces and their proxies have killed several innocent civilians who were agitating for their basic rights and freedom.
"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 open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources," Bhavika Mangalanandan, a First Secretary at India's UN Mission, said.
Mangalanandan accused Pakistani diplomats of flinging vicious allegations against India and its people at every opportunity to speak at the UN, regardless of the context of discussion, and asserted that repetitive allegations and lies would change neither reality nor the truth.
“Pakistan's double speak and hypocrisy do not deserve the time and attention of this august forum,” she said.
“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."
Mangalanandan further asserted that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. She also reiterated India’s commitment to human rights and said it stems from the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasised non-violence and equality.
In a similar statement last week, Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, had also flagged the grave human rights violations in PoK.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework. We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan," he had said during a debate at the Security Council.