India has pushed back against comments made by the United Nations’ human rights chief regarding the situation in Kashmir and Manipur, calling them “unfounded and baseless.” The strong response came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk mentioned India in his global update at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
India Slams “Cherry-Picking” of Issues
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, strongly criticized the remarks, stating they failed to reflect the ground reality. He argued that India’s pluralistic democracy continues to be vibrant and that the High Commissioner’s comments were out of sync with facts on the ground.
- “Unfounded and baseless comments in the update contrast jarringly with ground realities,” Bagchi said in his statement.
- He accused Turk of “cherry-picking” situations, oversimplifying complex issues, and making sweeping generalizations.
Bagchi particularly took issue with Turk’s reference to “Kashmir,” pointing out that the correct term is “Jammu and Kashmir”—a state that has seen increased peace and development in recent years.
UN Chief’s Concerns on Manipur and Kashmir
In his global update, Turk called for greater efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur. He urged for peacebuilding, dialogue, and respect for human rights in the state, which has faced ethnic violence in the past year.
Additionally, Turk expressed concern over India’s use of restrictive laws and alleged harassment of human rights defenders and independent journalists. He noted that this had led to arbitrary detentions and a shrinking civic space, particularly in Kashmir.
“Democracy requires constant nurturing of participation and inclusion at all levels of society,” Turk said, while also acknowledging India’s institutional strength and diversity.
India’s Response Highlights Regional Progress
Bagchi countered Turk’s statements by emphasizing positive developments in both Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur. He highlighted several indicators of stability and progress:
- Jammu and Kashmir: He pointed to high voter turnout in recent local elections, record-breaking tourism, and accelerating development projects as signs of normalcy.
- Manipur: The government has taken multiple steps to restore peace, he argued, and any outside interference ignores the efforts being made on the ground.
He also suggested that the UN human rights office should “take a long and hard look in the mirror” instead of making generalizations about India.
Political Reactions in India
The UN chief’s remarks triggered political debates in India, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defending the government’s track record and opposition parties calling for more action on human rights.
- BJP leaders dismissed Turk’s concerns as “misinformed,” claiming that the government has successfully managed internal security issues.
- Opposition leaders, including members of the Congress Party, argued that India should not ignore legitimate human rights concerns and should engage constructively with global institutions.
Diplomatic Implications
India has long maintained that it does not require external oversight regarding its internal matters. The latest clash with the UN human rights chief could further strain interactions between India and global human rights bodies.
As India continues to rise as a global power, how it manages such international criticism—whether through stronger diplomacy or policy changes—remains a key question for its leadership.
