India and Pakistan exchanged sharp accusations over Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a "just and fair resolution of the Kashmir dispute," alleging human rights violations in the region. India's delegation accused Pakistan of "terrorism, deceit and duplicity," stressing that support for cross-border terrorism would have consequences.
In his address, Sharif also brought up last year's military clashes, calling them "external aggression from India under a false pretext." Pakistan considers Indian missile strikes on May 7 as the start of the low-level conflict, while India contends that the strikes were retaliation for an attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in April last year. Sharif also stated that India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance had no legal basis, accusing New Delhi of "weaponizing" water.
First Secretary at India's UN mission Petal Gahlot rejected Sharif's remarks, accusing Pakistan of "terrorism, deceit and duplicity" and saying Islamabad's support for cross-border terrorism would have consequences. She also criticized Pakistan's military establishment and its treatment of minorities, reiterating India's position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday moved a resolution in the legislative assembly seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the region. The resolution was supported by the ruling National Conference and other parties but triggered an uproar from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators. Abdullah recalled that in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government revoked Article 370, which had allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution and a degree of internal autonomy.
In several Indian states, the Congress Party protested demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Election Commission's handling of the revision of voter rolls. Additionally, protests against sexual violence against women and girls continue in New Delhi. The demonstrations were prompted by the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in a Delhi park, as well as reported cases of molestation involving minors in Bihar.
Source: www.dw.com