The Modi government, in a bold step, nullified the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir by Article 370. It also turned Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh into a Union Territory. The Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 was passed in Rajya Sabha and is now being discussed in the Lok Sabha. During the discussion, Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury proceeded to shoot himself in the foot by toeing Pakistan’s line.
Congress Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury kicked up a storm in the Assembly today by questioning the government whether Article 370 and the state of Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter. He questioned how can matters related to Jammu and Kashmir be ‘internal matter’ if it is being monitored by the UN since 1948.
After receiving severe criticism, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury seems to be attempting to fire-fight but has ended up displaying his ignorance once again.
#WATCH Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress: In this parliament in 1994, we adopted a resolution that Pakistan occupied Kashmir has to be restored. It has to be brought into the ambit of our country. Now once J&K has been bifurcated, what shall be the status of PoK? pic.twitter.com/AckFD8WmbH
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
Adhir Ranjan has now said that the Parliament in 1994 adopted a resolution that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir has to be restored and brought back to the ambit of this country. Now, after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, he asked the government to clarify the ‘status of POK’.
Interestingly, in a tacit understanding, the same line of argument was also brought up by SP’s Akhilesh Yadav.
Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party, in Lok Sabha on #Article370revoked: We are with the country. But now my question is about the status of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Government should answer this. pic.twitter.com/oqjC9eEv0o
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
In the Parliament, Akhilesh Yadav too said asked the government to clarify the ‘status of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’.
Interestingly, in their attempt to firefight the negative public perception, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Akhilesh Yadav both ended up displaying their ignorance.
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is an area that is an extension of Jammu and Kashmir and has been under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. India’s stand has always been that POK is an integral part of India and is under illegal occupation of Pakistan.
That stand has not changed despite the change in government over the decades. Every government, be it Congress or BJP has maintained that stand. To bring this up now, only reaks of the ignorance and desperation of the Congress party.
Interestingly, earlier today in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah had roared and proclaimed that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin are an integral part of Kashmir and India and that, he and his party were willing to die for it.