Brussels: A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) published an article in the European Parliament’s monthly newspaper EP Today on Sunday which justified Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s decision to revoke Article 370.
MEP Tomas Zdechovsky said, “cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan” is the main challenge in Jammu and Kashmir. Justification for this sentiment is well documented, and resulted in the revocation of article 370 along with a change in the Indian constitution in order for Prime Minister Modi to be able to address the rising incidents of terrorism across India.”
“Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Harakat Ul-Mujahidin were reportedly responsible for attacks on persons affiliated or associated with political organisations in Jammu and Kashmir including the killing of at least six political party workers and a separatist leader,” it said.
“Pakistan-based armed groups that operate mostly in Indian-Administered Kashmir have also been accused of harassing and threatening nationalist and pro-independence political workers in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. On 2 August 2018, unknown armed group members attacked and burned down at least 12 schools in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district. At least half were girls’ schools,” said MEP.
“On the 14th of February, 2019, a suicide bombing against the Indian security forces in Pulwama was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed. India blamed Pakistan for continuing to support the group’s activities. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed to an international news organisation that Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Mohammad Masood Azhar is present in Pakistan. On the 1st of May 2019, the United Nations Security Council Da’esh and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee announced that it had added Mohammad Masood Azhar to its list of individuals or entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.”
In its fight against terrorism, and against acts of violence in Indian-Administered Kashmir and also in India, by Pakistani based terrorists and armed groups, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi had to act. His choice of action, whilst harsh and direct was criticised by many who failed to understand his motive. On the 5th of August, 2019, Prime Minister Modi revoked Article 370 through a Presidential Order and the passage of a resolution in Parliament.
Tomas Zdechovsky said, ” Article 370 of the Indian constitution gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir allowing it to have a separate constitution, a state flag and autonomy over the internal administration of the state. This article, along with Article 35A, defined that the Jammu and Kashmir state’s residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to resident of other Indian states. The removal, temporarily or permanently of these articles should be seen as a global stance against terrorist activities, where today terrorists exploit the principles of democracy, freedom of speech and human rights practiced by the majority, whilst at the same time imposing fear, violence and killings as justification for their causes.”
Tomas reiterated that Prime Minister Modi understood the challenge he was undertaking with his sudden revocation of Article 370, although for those following his election campaign, he had already committed to undertake this initiative if his electorate were to appoint him.
Tomas ended saying,” It is hoped that by the equal inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir state under the same constitution as India’s other twenty-eight states, India can ensure that its values of free and fair elections without intimidation, its values of diversity and religious harmony, and its fight against terrorism, can provide greater stability and security not only for the people of India but for those throughout South Asia.”
