SRINAGAR: Parliament members of the European Union (EU) said they ‘fully supported India’s efforts for lasting peace and end of terror’.
The lawmakers’ visit to Jammu and Kashmir was criticized by the Indian opposition parties, mainly the Indian Congress, Indian media reports have said.
The EU lawmakers, who visited Jammu and Kashmir under heavy security and shutdown in parts of the state on Tuesday, said they were not in India to interfere in the country’s politics.
The EU lawmakers addressed a select media following a tour of Srinagar that included a ‘shikara’ ride on the Dal Lake.
This is the first time that an international delegation has been allowed in Jammu and Kashmir since the government of India ended its special status in August.
The opposition party has raised concern asking how foreign lawmakers have been allowed in Jammu and Kashmir when Indian politicians have been denied access.
Newton Dunn, a lawmaker from the UK said that they belong to a place in Europe that is peaceful after years of fighting.
“We want to see India becoming the world’s most peaceful country,” Dunn said adding that they would stand by India in its fight against global terrorism.
Another lawmaker said that the people of Kashmir told them that too are Indian citizens and want to be Indian like all other Indian citizens.
The MPs traveled with a security convoy when they were taken from the airport in Srinagar to a hotel in the city on Tuesday.
The lawmakers from the EU are mainly from far-right parties. Three of the 27 lawmakers belong to the Left or liberal parties.
According to reports, all of them visited India in their private capacity.
The EU lawmakers were also briefed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and police chief Dilbag Singh on the occasion.
Likewise, Ryszard Czarnecki, an MP from Poland, criticized the international media of being biased while giving the coverage of their visit.
Czarnecki said they would inform them of what they saw in India.
Likewise, Thierry Mariani, a Euro MP for France’s far-right National Rally, said that their image has been tarnished when they were called ‘fascists’.
The EU parliamentarians visited the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on a day when five laborers from West Bengal were brutally killed by terrorists in the Kulgam district of the state on Tuesday.
Henri Malosse, a lawmaker from France, condemned the attack on the workers labeling it as’”unfortunate’.
Malosse said, “Article 370 is India’s internal matter.” According to Malosse, terrorism is a global menace and all should stand with India in fighting it.
It should be noted that opposition leaders of India including Rahul Gandhi had criticized the visit of the European parliamentarians. (Agencies)
Comment