India slams Pakistan’s ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’, calls Article 370 move internal matter

India on Wednesday firmly rejected Pakistan's criticism of the abrogation of Article 370, accusing Islamabad of using the issue to interfere in India's internal affairs while attempting to divert global attention from its own human rights record and support for terrorism. The Centre revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Pakistan has since observed the anniversary as Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation).

Article 370: 'An internal matter'

Responding to remarks made by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Islamabad's observance of the day as a propaganda exercise. "India categorically rejects the political absurdity and futile attempts by Pakistan to observe the so-called Youm-e-Istehsal to spread malicious propaganda," Jaiswal said. He asserted that the constitutional changes introduced on August 5, 2019, were entirely India's internal matter and had ushered in unprecedented socio-economic development, improved governance and greater democratic empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. "Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on matters that are strictly internal to India," he added.

Human rights record questioned

The Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan's "desperate attempts to peddle falsehoods" were aimed at shifting international focus away from its "dismal human rights record and its status as the global epicentre of terrorism." Jaiswal reiterated India's long-standing position that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, created after the abrogation of Article 370, "are, have always been, and shall forever remain an integral and inalienable part of India."

PoJK crackdown highlighted

The spokesperson also pointed to the recent crackdown by Pakistani security forces in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying the international community was witnessing the "brutal suppression of fundamental rights" in the region. He alleged that Pakistani authorities had resorted to lethal force, targeted killings and sweeping restrictions to crush peaceful civil rights protests led by local residents. "Such state-sponsored violence against unarmed civilians exposes the profound hypocrisy of the Pakistani establishment," Jaiswal said.

According to Indian government figures, at least 90 people have been killed since June during Pakistani security operations against protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee in PoJK.

Call to end terror support

Jaiswal said Pakistan should, instead of engaging in "predictable diplomatic theatre", halt the violence in PoJK, take credible, verifiable and irreversible action against terror groups operating from its territory, and "immediately vacate all Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation." "The world is not fooled by these orchestrated spectacles," he said.

In a message issued on Wednesday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar alleged that India's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status in August 2019 had undermined efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and adversely affected the people of Kashmir. He also urged New Delhi to create conditions conducive to resolving the Kashmir issue.