In a step that can be called utterly disgusting and against the interest of the nation, United Kingdom representatives of Congress party met ultra-left leader of Labour Party- Jeremy Corbyn, and discussed ‘human rights’ situation in Kashmir.
“A very productive meeting with UK representatives from the Indian Congress Party where we discussed the human rights situation in Kashmir,” tweeted the leader of labor party. “There must be a de-escalation and an end to the cycle of violence and fear which has plagued the region for so long,” he added. The picture posted Corbyn included Kamal Dhaliwal, head of overseas Congress in United Kingdom.
A very productive meeting with UK representatives from the Indian Congress Party where we discussed the human rights situation in Kashmir.
There must be a de-escalation and an end to the cycle of violence and fear which has plagued the region for so long. pic.twitter.com/wn8DXLohJT
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 9, 2019
BJP slammed Congress over discussion of India’s internal matter with a foreign leader. “Appalling! @INCIndia owes it to the people of India to explain what its leaders are telling foreign leaders about India. India will give a befitting reply to Congress for these shameful shenanigans!” tweeted the official handle of the Saffron party.
Appalling! @INCIndia owes it to the people of India to explain what its leaders are telling foreign leaders about India.
India will give a befitting reply to Congress for these shameful shenanigans! https://t.co/Sb0MThF17A
— BJP (@BJP4India) October 10, 2019
It is a well known fact that Corbyn-led Labour party passed a resolution against Indian government’s decision to scrap Article 370 and abolish the special status of Jammu & Kashmir.
Modi government and the BJP have maintained that Jammu & Kashmir is an ‘internal matter’ of India and no foreign party have a say on it. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has made every effort to ‘internationalize’ the Kashmir issue, and it seems that overseas Congress has toed the Pakistani line on the issue.
“This is Congress seeking advice from the UK Labour Leader – they might as well go to their masters directly in Pakistan,” said BJP’s foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale.
Labour Party has taken anti-India stance since Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader of Labor Party in September 2015. On August 11, a few days after abolition of special status to J&K, he 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
The Labour Party leader’s tweet is not based on ideological consideration but only on political expediency and compulsions. Both the language and content of his tweet suggest that he is trying to appease a particular cross section of voters, viz. radical Muslim Britishers in general and the Pakistani origin citizens of the UK in particular.
Jeremy Corbyn is supporting Pakistan due to electoral compulsion. But Congress Party has no such obligation and still the party is toeing to Pakistani line Article 370. This is electoral suicide by the Congress party for the upcoming elections.
Historically, Labour Party is responsible for many blunders in India during pre-colonial and post-colonial period. The Labour Party led by Attlee was in power from 1945 to 1951. It was the Labour Party which steered India towards a partition by introducing the Cabinet Mission Plan and later on divided the then British India by introducing the India Independence Act. Later on, the Labour Party did not accept the accession of Jammu and Kashmir into India as legal and final. Even though it was a clear position at the time of India’s Independence that the Princely states had three options- i) Remaining independent, ii) Acceding to India, or iii) Acceding to Pakistan.
Once, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession whereby Jammu & Kashmir acceded into India, Labour Party or for that matter any foreign power had no business to make any remark about Jammu & Kashmir. This arrangement had been left behind by the colonial country itself and it along with the entire international arena therefore remains bound to accept the accession of Jammu & Kashmir as valid, binding and final. However, Labour left-wing members continue to hold Kashmir a disputed territory. By doing so, the Labour Party has carved out a Pakistani vote bank for itself. This therefore explains the political expediency behind Corbyn’s tweet.
Congress’ latest antics is sure to further harm the prospects of the party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
