UK Lawmaker Denied Entry Even As Other EU Envoys Visit J&K
- Tejas Rokhade
- Feb 18, 2020
- 3 min read
25 foreign envoys who visited Jammu and Kashmir from February 12 to 13 have given satisfactory feedback on the steps taken by the government to normalize the situation after removal of Article 370. The delegation after their visit also met the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on February 14.
Crux of the Matter
Feedback from Foreign Envoys The NSA hosted a reception for the 25 envoys which was attended primarily by Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar and Rajya Sabha MP MJ Akbar. The envoys belonged to European Union (EU), Austria, Uzbekistan, Poland, Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Afghanistan. The delegation met key officials of the J&K administration including Lieutenant governor G S Murmu, chief secretary B V R Subbu and Chief Justice of J&K HC Justice Gita Mittal. Most of the delegates said that positive steps towards normalcy were visible whereas some of the envoys were not much happy with the internet restrictions and political detentions still in place.
European envoys sought answers to the imposition of Section 144 in the Valley during their interaction with officials in Jammu. To which the officials have replied by saying it is only imposed in few sensitive areas. The EU delegation also highlighted the need for a clear economic roadmap for the overall upliftment of the state.
While we recognize the serious security concerns it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly. – Virginie Battu-Henriksson, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy
Germany’s Ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner said, “Positive steps towards restoration of normalcy were visible but there are still some restrictions which remain. Most of the people we spoke to did raise the issue to full access to the Internet.”
Vocal British Critic Kicked Out Soon after the visit of this delegation ended, On February 17 a British lawmaker Debbie Abrahams’ visa was revoked and was denied entry in India after she landed at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The Labour Party lawmaker chairs a parliamentary group focused on Kashmir and has been a strong and open critic against the removal of Article 370 who also had written a letter to the Indian High Commission in the UK accusing the government of ‘betraying the trust of people in Kashmir’.
Why did the Indian Government revoke my visa AFTER it was granted? Why didn't they let me get a 'visa on arrival'? Is it because I have been critical of the Indian Government on #Kashmir human rights issues? https://t.co/aNhvFpc10D — Debbie Abrahams (@Debbie_abrahams) February 17, 2020
I tried to establish why the visa had been revoked but no one seemed to know. So now I am just waiting to be deported unless the Indian Government has a change of heart. I’m prepared to let the fact that I’ve been treated like a criminal, and I hope they will let me visit my family and friends. – Debbie Abrahams, who had arrived India on a 2-day personal visit
Curiopedia
Article 370 of the Indian constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir under the Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions. The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, after its establishment, was empowered to recommend the articles of the Indian constitution that should be applied to the state or to abrogate the Article 370 altogether. 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 residents of other Indian states. More Info
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