India Rebukes UN Human Rights Chief's Remarks On Kashmir And Manipur, Deems It 'Baseless'

New Delhi: India has rebuked the UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, for his remarks on Kashmir and Manipur, describing them as "unfounded" and "baseless". Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, stressed that India remains a "healthy, vibrant, and pluralistic society". He stated that the comments in the update contradict the ground realities, focusing on the discrepancy between perceptions and facts. Bagchi urged for a better understanding of India's civilisational ethos, which values diversity and openness. The criticism came after Turk's global update to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he mentioned India and expressed concerns over the situations in Kashmir and Manipur.

Arindam Bagchi stated, "The people of India have repeatedly proven wrong such misplaced concerns about us." He also urged saying, “We would urge a better understanding of India and our civilisational ethos of diversity and openness, which continue to define our robust and often cacophonous civic space.”

Concerns Over Generalised Remarks

India expressed concerns over the global update's sweeping generalisations, loose terminology, and apparent cherry-picking of situations. Bagchi asserted that the update needs a genuine update, explaining the need for nuanced understanding and accurate representation of complex issues. He also suggested that the Office of the High Commissioner should take a "long and hard look in the mirror" to address the pervasive unease sensed by the High Commissioner.

"At a larger level, we are concerned about the global update's oversimplifications of complex issues, sweeping and generalised remarks, usage of loose terminologies, and apparent cherry-picking of situations," Bagchi said. He also added, “The High Commissioner has sensed a pervasive unease, but we would submit that a key element to addressing this is a long and hard look in the mirror by the Office of the High Commissioner.”

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UN's Human Rights Chief Calls For Stepped-Up Efforts

Earlier, in his global update, Turk called for increased efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur, asserting on the need for dialogue, peacebuilding, and human rights. He also expressed concerns over the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists in Kashmir. However, his update made no mention of Pakistan, sparking criticism over the selective focus on certain countries.

Turk, in his address, said, “I also call for stepped-up efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur, based on dialogue, peacebuilding, and human rights. I am concerned by the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists resulting in arbitrary detention and a diminished civic space, including in Kashmir.”

India's Democratic Institutions Under Scrutiny

Turk's comments on India's democratic institutions have sparked a heated debate, with many criticising the UN's human rights chief for his perceived bias against India. India's democratic institutions have been its greatest strength, underpinning its diversity and development. However, Turk's update has raised questions about the UN's commitment to impartiality and its understanding of India's complex social and political landscape.

Turk's comments have been seen as an attempt to lecture India on democracy, sparking a strong reaction from the Indian government.