Govt invites EU delegation to visit Kashmir, Opposition asks 'What about Indian leaders?'

In an embarrassment for the government, the ruling BJP's outspoken Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy on Monday slammed the decision to allow a delegation of Members of European Parliament to visit Kashmir and demanded its cancellation.

Swamy described the move as a "perversion" of the country's policy.

The delegation of European Parliamentarians will be travelling to Kashmir on Tuesday, nearly three months after the state's special status granted under Article 370 was abolished and the state bifurcated into two Union Territories.

This will be the first foreign delegation to visit Kashmir since the abrogation of Art 370.

The Congress questioned the government on Monday for allowing European Parliament members to visit Jammu and Kashmir but preventing Indian leaders from doing so, claiming it was an insult to India's democracy and "ultimate disrespect" to its sovereignty.

Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said the party would raise issue in Parliament as, he added, the government decision violates the collective privileges of Indian MPs. Inviting EU lawmakers to JK is the "ultimate disrespect" to Indian Parliament's sovereignty, Sharma added.

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is in detention, also questioned the decision. She tweeted, "In its desperation to convince international community that normalcy's restored in Kashmir, GOIs making incessant foreign policy gaffes. From endorsing a Republican as US President to engaging with what seem like pro fascist, right leaning and anti immigrant EU MPs. Royal mess."

"The fact that the Indian government is facilitating the visit of the EU delegation shows that this government is desperate and is under pressure to please the international community which has raised several questions on human rights violations in JK. The government is desperate to convince the global community. While it says everything is normal in the region, the ground reality is different," said Raja.

CPI leader Atul Anjaan alleged that PM Modi was trying to "internationalise" the Kashmir issue by welcoming the delegation of the European Union. He alleged that foreign citizens were being sent to Kashmir by the Indian government.

He further said that all the claims of the government on JK was "false".

On Monday, the delegation met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed the hope that its members, during their visit to Jammu and Kashmir, would get a "better understanding" of the region and "a clear view" of the Government's development and governance priorities there.

The Government has barred many leaders from visiting the state. Even Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi was sent back from the airport. Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had to take permission from the Supreme Court to visit Kashmir Valley.