As J&K votes to elect new assembly, Rajasthan NGO punctures anti-India chorus of Pakistan at UNHRC

X: @prashanthamine

New Delhi:  As the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K UT) votes to elect a new assembly in a three-phased election, anti-India chorus becomes the usual norm at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). For the first time in many years a Ajmer, Rajasthan based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (RSKS) has in a written statement submitted to the UNHRC has highlighted what it called racism and violence against minorities in Pakistan.

Just days before the J&K UT goes for first phase of polling on September 18, Karachi, Pakistan based World Muslim Congress (WMC) and Khartoum, Sudan based International Muslim Women’s Union (IMWU) had on September 11 and September 12 through their submissions ranted the usual Pakistani rant over the right to self-determination and the so-called enforced disappearances in J&K.

The 90-member assembly of the J&K UT goes to polls in three phases on – September 18 (24 assembly constituencies), September 25 (26 assembly constituencies) and October 1 (40 assembly constituencies). Counting of votes and declaration of results will be taken up on October 4.

The RSKS in its submission has highlighted the issue of what it called increasing violence and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan. It has argued that the blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been a major tool of oppression, leading to arbitrary arrests, prosecutions, and even extra-judicial killings of Ahmadis and other minority groups. Similarly, other religious minorities including Christians and Hindus face forced conversions, abductions and violence, argues RSKS.

The RSKS has further argued that the rampant violence and discrimination in Pakistan have forced many minorities to flee the country in search of safety. India has been a primary destination for these displaced persons.

In its submission, the RSKS adds that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) enacted by the Indian parliament in 2019 has provided much relief to the Hindu and Christian families who have relocated to India, escaping forced conversions and violence. The RSKS has further demanded that the international community exert pressure on Pakistan to repeal discriminatory laws and protect the rights of its minority communities.