Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom tweeted on Saturday, “Closely following serious developments in Kashmir. The population of Kashmir must be included in decisions concerning its future.”
Closely following serious developments in Kashmir. The population of Kashmir must be included in decisions concerning its future.
— Margot Wallström (@margotwallstrom) August 10, 2019
Ever since article 370 was abrogated, there has been a breakout of how it has been a violation of democracy. Whereas, many in the mainland feel that this was the right way to go. Actor Anupam Kher, known to support PM Modi's politics, tweeted “I Have woken up in NY to the best news in my life about Kashmir. And on the day my autobiography #LessonsLifeTaughtMeUnknowingly releases! What better gift life story of a Kashmiri boy could get. Thank you, God, #GovtOfIndia, PM @narendramodi @AmitShah Congratulations India.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan sought international help in solving the Kashmir issue. He said the global community should intervene Modi government's use of great military force against Kashmiris. UN chief Antonio Guterres on August 9 invoked the Simla pact that said that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and that both the countries should refrain from taking any more steps in the matter.
Even as Eid ul Adha is being celebrated, restrictions prevent citizens from offering prayers in certain mosques. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah are still under house arrest; landlines and mobile networks are down in the valley. Food, however, was made available so that people could celebrate the festival and the government also made 30 payphones available so that people could get in touch with their families.
UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement, "The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations."
UK's leader of opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn tweeted, “The situation in Kashmir is deeply disturbing. Human rights abuses taking place are unacceptable. The rights of the Kashmiri people must be respected and UN resolutions implemented.”
The situation in Kashmir is deeply disturbing. Human rights abuses taking place are unacceptable. The rights of the Kashmiri people must be respected and UN resolutions implemented.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 11, 2019
Many Labour party leaders spoke out against the communication blackout in Kashmir. Britain had always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue to be solved by both India and Pakistan. As per the UN Security Council Resolution 47 adopted on April 21, 1948, both India and Pakistan were asked to resolve the crisis through a multi-step process. Accordingly, Pakistan was to withdraw all its nationals from the territory under its control and India was to reduce forces in its part of Kashmir which was to be followed by a plebiscite.
“What is going on in J&K? Why would leaders be arrested overnight while having done no wrong? If Kashmiris are our citizens, &their leaders, our partners, surely the mainstream ones must be kept on board while we act against terrorists & separatists? If we alienate them, who’s left?” tweeted Congress MP Shashi Tharoor just as the decision to abrogate article 370 was being made on August 5.
“Will Modi Bring Big Change to Kashmir. Here Farooq Abdullah tells me they are ready to make changes to make 35A gender-friendly; also ready to discuss voting rights for West Pakistan refugees- but all changes must come via assembly, not Centre,” prominent journalist Barkha Dutt had tweeted.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan compared Modi's move on Kashmir to Hitler's Nazi ideology. He tweeted, “The curfew, crackdown & impending genocide of Kashmiris in IOK is unfolding exactly acc to RSS ideology inspired by Nazi ideology. Attempt is to change demography of Kashmir through ethnic cleansing. Question is: Will the world watch & appease as they did Hitler at Munich?”
While the issue is still under much fire, it remains to be seen whether or not there will be any more dialogue between the two countries regarding the issue. Services of Samjhautha express, the train running between the two nations have already been suspended. Pakistan also made a move to suspend trade ties with India. Pakistan has also banned Indian movies. And while Delhi has asked Islamabad to reconsider its decisions, it has maintained that Kashmir is an 'internal matter'. Will stability return to the valley? What will happen next? One can only wait and watch.
