European lawmakers visit Kashmir updates: Congress, PDP, NC slam Centre for rolling out red carpet to EU MPs

Terrorists fire at school building in Pulwama

In yet another terror incident on a day when a delegation of European Union MPs are visiting the Kashmir Valley to assess the situation on-ground after the abrogation of Article 370, armed terrorists on Tuesday tried to target children by firing at a school building in Pulwama, ANI reported.

At around 3.15 pm, unknown terrorists fired six to seven rounds on CRPF deployment at a school which was an examination centre in Pulwama’s Drabgam.  “Attack was promptly retaliated by the troops. Additional deployment reached,” the CRPF said. 

Initial information suggests there have been no injuries so far. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway. CRPF and local police were on duty guarding the centre when the incident took place. India Today also reported that five children were trapped in the school where the firing took place.

EU MPs meet Indian Army officials in Srinagar

The delegation of European Union Parliament members met Indian Army officials on Tuesday in Srinagar.

#JammuAndKashmir: The delegation of European Union Parliament members met GoC 15 Corps, Lt General KJS Dhillon today in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/UGfoyNpjDu

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2019

Law and Justice Party from Poland:

Poland’s ruling right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) recently earned a second term in power. An article in The Guardian defines PiS’ political policy as one to steamroll Opposition in Parliament with its brute majority and as a semi-authoritarian regime that has time and again tried to exert control over the Polish judiciary. The article suggests that the party is not much liked in the EU circles either with “European diplomats admitting in private that many in Brussels had hoped the problem would be taken out of their hands by Polish voters.”

The PiS-led administration is also among the most conservative governments in Europe on social issues, such as LGBT equality and abortion rights. 

Ghulam Nabi Azad slams Centre over lack of permission to Indian politicians to visit Kashmir

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday also criticised the Centre over the blocking of Indian politicians in visiting Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was abrogated on 5 August. He said, “I don’t have an objection to the European Union Parliament delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir. What I object to, is that the MPs of this country are not being allowed to go to Jammu and Kashmir….It’s a conducted tour…”

#WATCH Delhi: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad says, "I don't have an objection to the European Union Parliament delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir. What I object to, is that the MPs of this country are not being allowed to go to Jammu and Kashmir....It's a conducted tour..." pic.twitter.com/7mlrlSK3pD

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2019

UK MEP claims invitation to visit Kashmir was rescinded after demand to travel without police escort

A senior UK politician claimed on Tuesday that the Indian government withdrew with little explanation an invitation to be part of the European Union delegation currently on a visit to Kashmir after he demanded to speak with local people without a police escort. The team originally comprised 27 parliamentarians, mostly from extreme right or right wing parties, but four did not travel to Kashmir and have reportedly returned to their respective countries.

Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Chris Davies said the decision showed the Indian government was trying to hide the “reality of its actions” and blocking absolute freedom of the press. “I am not prepared to take part in a PR stunt for the Modi government and pretend that all is well. It is very clear that democratic principles are being subverted in Kashmir, and the world needs to start taking notice,” said Davies, whose invite for the visit between October 27 and 30 was reportedly rescinded.

CPI asks for permission to visit Kashmir after EU MPs get ‘red carpet’ entry

CPI leader Binoy Viswam wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, requesting that he be allowed to visit Jammu and Kashmir since a foreign delegation was given a “red carpet’’ entry into the region.

“It is everybody’s question, why the government is disallowing any responsible Indian citizen, including Members of Parliament, to enter the territory of Kashmir. Now, the government has spread red carpet for the European Union MPs. With this background, I seek your permission to visit Kashmir and meet with the ordinary people,” Viswam said in his letter.

EU MPs briefed about Pakistan’s role in ‘fuelling’ terrorism

In the meeting with European Union MPs at the 15 Corps headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Tuesday, officials of security forces including the Indian Army, briefed them on several things, including on “the role of Pakistan in fuelling terrorism in the Kashmir valley and the role of Pakistani Army in pushing terrorists into India,” ANI reported.

EU delegation to meet sarpanches

The delegation of 23 European Union MPs is likely to meet the recently election sarpanches on their visit to the Kashmir Valley, India Today reported.

EU delegation visit does not represent the EU: Theresa Griffin

Theresa Griffin, a member of the European Union from Britain, said that the EU delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir to assess the situation on-ground “does not represent the European Parliament”.

To be absolutely clear - the group of far-right MEPs currently visiting #Kashmir are not in any way an "official" delegation. They do not speak for the European Parliament. The shutdown in Kashmir must be ended and constitutional rule of law restored. https://t.co/e6bVILYm8a

— Theresa Griffin (@TheresaEurope) October 29, 2019

National Rally party from France:

Recognised as a far-right party locally in France, the Rassemblement party or ‘National Rally; party has been struggling to shed its image of a political pariah and settle into the mainstream. The party’s chief Marine Le Pen is the daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is notorious for his heavily racist comments, such as calling the Nazi gas chambers a “detail of history.” Jean was also the founder of the party formerly known as the National Front but has since been rebranded to tone down its ultra-nationalist, anti-Islamic image.

Delhi NGOs protest against restrictions in Kashmir

A group of Delhi NGOs have organised a protest against the clampdown on communications and movements in Kashmir. India Today reported that the protests are taking place in the Jantar Mantar area of the National Capital, adding that Opposition parties are also likely to join the event.

Kapil Sibal slams EU MPs’ visit to Kashmir

Congress leader and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the visit of a delegation of European Union MPs to Jammu and Kashmir and said that foreign politicians were being allowed to visit the restive region while Indian politicians were not. This has been a criticism levelled by Opposition leaders since the decision to allow EU MPs to take stock of the “situation on-ground” after the abrogation of Article 370.

To visit Kashmir :

All is normal for members of the European Parliament

All is not normal for our own !

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 29, 2019

Indian Army to brief EU MPs in Srinagar

Officials of the Indian Army will brief the delegation of European Union MPs during their visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, India Today reported. Security forces are likely to brief the politicians in the 15 Corps headquarters in Srinagar.

EU MPs’ Kashmir visit is a PR exercise, says Jammu and Kashmir National Conference

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) said in a statement that the EU lawmakers’ Kashmir is a “PR exercise” and said that most of the members in the delegation share a “particular ideology”.

The statement issued by a party spokesperson also termed the visit as “ironical” as former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir have been “incarcerated” for nearly three months after the abrogation of Article 370.

About Kosma Zlotowski:

Poland’s Kosma Zlotowski came into the limelight when he tweeted with the hashtag ‘Why Not Svastika’ in November last year, reacting publicly to the online campaign by Lithuania’s social media users that Amazon should withdraw its Soviet-themed merchandise. “The USSR was a totalitarian and criminal state. A company like Amazon must know that,” he had said.

Were you expecting 9 million oppressed Kashmiris to lay out red carpet for Islamophobic MPs, asks Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti also tweeted, “To justify a hare-brained disruptive decision, India’s democratic credentials are being sullied internationally,”

Reports of stone pelting & massive shutdown in Srinagar today. Wondering what outcome GOI expected by sending a group of mostly right leaning Islamophobic EUMPs to Kashmir? Were you expecting nine million oppressed Kashmiris to lay out a red carpet for them?

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 29, 2019

Security tightened amid stone-pelting incidents

Stone pelting incidents were reported in South Kashmir and the Old City part of Srinagar.

Four of the EU MPs did not fly to Srinagar, and instead flew back to their respective countries.

EU MPs to meet Governor, Army, police officials on Day 1

On the first day of their Srinagar visit, the 23 European Union MPs will meet Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and state government officials, according to  Times Now .

They will then attend a briefing by the Indian Army’s 15 Corps commander Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, followed by a briefing by Jammu and Kashmir Police officials. IG, DG and DGP will be doing the briefing.

They will then visit the Dal Lake in the evening, where they will have a brief media interaction.

They will then visit meet civil society members, followed by an interaction with the Block Development Council officials, the elections to which were held on 21 October. They will also meet Panchayat representatives.

This will be followed by an official dinner hosted by Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

Four injured in clashes in Srinagar, other parts of Jammu and Kashmir

At least four persons were injured on Tuesday in clashes between protestors and security forces in Kashmir where a complete shutdown was observed in Srinagar and some other parts, even as 23 European Union lawmakers landed in the capital city for a two-day visit.

For the 86th day following abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, markets remained closed while transport remained off the roads due to the clashes. Vendors, who had regularly set up their stalls over the past two months, also did not turn up today, they said.

However, board examinations for class 10 are being held as per schedule with worried parents waiting outside exam halls for their children.

PTI

Bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories to take effect on 31 October

The state of Jammu and Kashmir will be divided into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh – on 31 October.

Process of formation of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will begin with the swearing-in of Lieutenant Governors in Srinagar and Leh respectively. Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Gita Mittal will administer the oath to Girish Chandra Murmu in Srinagar and then Radha Krishma Mahur in Leh.

European Union MPs arrive in Srinagar

The delegation of European Union (EU) MPs arrive at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/0AAh8EVsVD

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2019

About Bogdan Rzonca:

Poland’s Bogdan Rzonca heads the Law and Justice party, a deeply conservative, nationalistic and anti-migrant party that is backed by some groups with anti-Semitic views.

In October 2017, Rzonca had expressed his wonderment about why “there are so many Jews among abortionists despite the Holocaust”. In response, Poland’s Jewish community wrote a letter to the Polish president expressing concern over “rising anti-Semitism”.

EU MPs Jammu and Kashmir tour is an unofficial visit

The delegation of 27 MPs is the first to visit Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August and the resultant imposition of a security clampdown and snapping of mobile, internet and landline services in the Valley.

The visit by lawmakers is an unofficial one and the Ministry of External Affairs’ role has been limited to the meetings arranged between the MPs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Indian government officials. Thierry Mariani, a Euro MP for France’s far-right National Rally, told AFP “we are going to see the situation in Kashmir, at least what they want to show us”.

Mehbooba Mufti calls EU MPs’ Srinagar visit a ‘curated, sanitised picnic’

Commenting on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter through the PDP leader’s Twitter account hit out at the government’s move to shift out political prisoners “detained illegally since August” to a hotel.

“Meanwhile, EU MPs on a curated, sanitised picnic to Kashmir. New benchmarks of normalcy,’ she tweeted.

EU MPs reach Srinagar

23 European Union lawmakers reached Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon. The MPs are likely to meet Srinagar residents, houseboat owners, traders and state government officials, who will apprise them of the developmental works in the Valley.

Additionally, they are also expected to visit the Dal Lake and the Indian Army headquarters in Srinagar.

PDP distances itself from any member who attended lunch hosted for EU MPs by NSA Ajit Doval

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will not be part of any “rhetoric” the Centre wants to build by concealing the “real situation” in Jammu and Kashmir, party spokesman and former legislator Firdous Tak said distancing itself from any member who attended a lunch hosted by NSA Ajit Doval.

Doval hosted lunch for 27 European lawmakers on Tuesday, which was also attended by senior PDP leader and former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig. Tak told PTI that “a member’s interaction with the establishment must not be construed as the party’s endorsement for the same”, adding that if any leader has met the European delegation, he has done it in his personal capacity.

“We hope that those who met the delegation must have projected the right situation. The PDP has every reason to believe that normalcy theatrics by BJP government was the result of tremendous international and national pressure following its misadventures in Jammu and Kashmir,” Tak added.

About Joanna Kocinska:

Poland’s Joanna Kopcinska had received flak in January 2018 when as a government spokesperson, she defended lawmakers’ move to make it illegal for Poland to bear responsibility for crimes against humanity committed by the Nazi Germany on its soil. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then instructed his ambassador to voice opposition for the bill that would make the usage of terms like ‘Polish death camps’ punishable by up to three years in prison.​

Kopcinska then wrote on Twitter that the legislation’s aim was “to show the truth about the terrible crimes committed on Poles, Jews, and other nations that were in the 20th century victims of brutal totalitarian regimes — German Nazi regime and Soviet communism.”

Opposition slams visit of EU MPs to Jammu and Kashmir

European Union MPs are being allowed to tour Kashmir, but Indian lawmakers and politicians are sent back from the airport. This is some unique kind of nationalism, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.

Meanwhile, Mayawati wrote on the social media platform that following the abrogation of Article 370, it would have been better if the government sent the country’s MPs, especially from the Opposition, rather than sending EU MPs Jammu and Kashmir to assess the situation.

About Thierry Mariani:

France’s Thierry Mariani has expressed support for the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia in 2014. He also visited the peninsula, accompanied by Russian officials, in July 2015. “We welcome the courage of the Crimean Parliament because it was able to make this decision despite the difficult situation and a great risk of escalation,” he had said.

As a member of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mariani was accused remaining oblivious to rights violations in Azerbaijan. In 2016, he brought non-binding resolutions to the National Assembly and Senate calling on the European Union to lift economic sanctions against Russia and support all Russian annexations.

Security tightened in the Valley following grenade attack, death of trucker

Two attacks in the Valley cast a shadow on the security situation ahead of the MPs’ visit. Fifteen civilians were injured in a grenade attack by terrorists in at a bus stand in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town on Monday. A truck driver was killed by suspected militants in Anantnag district. This was the fourth death of a trucker in the Valley since 5 August.

About Poland’s Ryszard Czarnecki: ​

Ryszard Czarnecki was the first MEP against whom the European Union’s legislature used its powers to dismiss a senior office holder. A member of Poland’s nationalist-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party,  Czarnecki had used a derogatory term for Roza Thun, a rival parliamentarian from Poland’s liberal-conservative Civic Platform party, after Thun told a German broadcaster that the ruling PiS party was moving the country towards a “dictatorship”.​

Czarnecki was dismissed by the Parliament in February 2018 as one of its vice presidents after the motion for his dismissal was voted 447-196.

Mehbooba Mufti slams govt’s “all normal acrobatics”

No coincidence that EU MPs trip tomorrow coincides with board exams for over 60,000 students in Kashmir. They have no choice but to appear for the exam tomorrow just to lend credence to ‘all is normal’ acrobatics.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2019

Government sent MEPs with Islamophobia to Muslm-majority Valley, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Commenting on the choice of MPs, with most being from Far-Right parties, visiting Jammu and Kashmir, Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the government chose MEPs who “suffer from a disease – Islamophobia” to visit the Muslim-majority Valley. “Gairon pe karam apano pe sitam, ai jaan-e-vafaa ye zulm na kar,
rahane de abhi thodaa saa dharam (Don’t make the mistake of doing good for outsiders and bad for your own. Let there be some order),” he tweeted.

EU delegation makes ‘unofficial’ visit; most parliamentarians from far-right parties

It is important to note that the visit of European Union lawmakers was arranged in private capacity by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is an unofficial visit. Besides, according to media reports, of the 27 parliamentarians, 24 of them are from far-right parties. 

Six French MPs are from Marine Le Pen’s National Front, the six Polish MPS are from the ruling far-right party and the British MPs belong to the Brexit party, India Today reported.

‘Perversion of national policy’: Centre’s move to allow EU panel in Kashmir draws flak from BJP’s Subramanian Swamy

Bringing an embarrassment to the government, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Monday criticised Centre’s move to allow lawmakers of European Union Parliament to visit Kashmir and demanded its cancellation.

Describing the decision as an “perversion of national policy”, Subramanian said, “I am surprised that the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) has arranged for European Union MPs, in their private capacity (not EU’s official delegation), to visit Kashmir. This is a perversion of our national policy. I urge the government to cancel this visit because it’s immoral.”

I am surprised that the MEA has arranged for European Union MPs, in their private capacity [Not EU's official delegation],to visit Kashmir area of J&K. This is a perversion of our national policy. I urge the Government cancel this visit because it is immoral.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) October 28, 2019

Here are the EU MPs that comprise the delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir

The delegation comprised:

• Poland’s Joana Kopcinska, Grzegorz Tobiszowski, Ryszard Czarnecki, Kosma Zlotowski, Bogdan Rzonca and Elzbieta Rafalska
• Italy’s Silvia Sardone, Gianna Gancia, Fulvio Martusciello and Guiseppe Ferrandino
• France’s France Jamet, Nicholas Bay, Virginie Joron, Julie Lechanteux, Maxette Pirbakas and Thierry Mariani
• Germany’s Bernhard Zimniok and Lars Patrick Berg
• Spain’s Hermann Tertsch
• Belgium’s Tom Vandendriessche
• UK’s David Richard Bull, Bill Newton Dunn, Alexandra Phillips, James Wells and Nathan Gill
• Czech Republic’s Tomas Zdechobsky
• Slovakia’s Peter Pollak

Mehbooba Mufti slams govt for engaging with “pro fascist, anti-immigrant” MPs

Slamming the government for engaging in attempts to convince the international community about normalcy in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti said incessant foreign policy gaffes are being made. “From endorsing a Republican as US President to engaging with what seem like pro fascist, right-leaning and anti-immigrant EU MPs. Royal mess,” she tweeted.

If scrapping Article 370 integrated J&K into India, why is Shri Rahul Gandhi barred from visiting Kashmir? Instead, a group of far right & fascist leanings EU MPs is allowed by GOI. Your ticket to Kashmir is possible only if you’re a fascist with a visceral hatred for muslims

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2019

Opportunity to see situation on ground firsthand, says Wales MP Nathan Gill

Nathan Gill, Member of European Parliament from Wales told ANI, “It is a good opportunity for us to go into Kashmir as a foreign delegation and to be able to see firsthand for ourselves what is happening on the ground.”

EU MPs’ Kupwara visit cancelled, claims report

The delegation of 27 MPs will stay in Srinagar. Their scheduled visit to Kupwara has been cancelled, India Today reported.

Iron curtain between Kashmir and the world needs to be lifted, tweets Mehbooba Mufti

In a tweet from Mehbooba Mufti’s account which is being operated by her daughter Sana Iltija Javed, the need for lifting the iron curtain between Kashmir and the world was emphasised. “Hope they get a chance to speak to the people, local media, doctors and civil society members. The iron curtain between Kashmir and the world needs to be lifted and government of India must be held accountable for pushing Jammu and Kashmir into turmoil,” the tweet read.

If 28 European Parliament members are allowed to take stock of situation in Kashmir, wonder why the same courtesy can’t be extended to American senators. Won’t be surprised if GOIs indulging in normalcy acrobatics again & orchestrating ‘normalcy’ certificates.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2019

We all want normalcy and peace, says EU MP Bill Newton Dunn

Bill Newton Dunn, one of the EU MPs, told ANI that “the Prime Minister explained to us about it (abrogation of Article 370) but I want to see on the ground how it actually is and talk to some local people. What we all want is normalcy and peace for everyone."

22 of 27 MPs are from right wing parties

The delegation includes Italy’s Fulvio Martusciello, UK’s David Richard Bull, Italy’s Gianna Gancia, France’s Julie Lechanteux, Czech Republic’s Tomas Zdechovsky, Slovakia’s Peter Pollak and Germany’s Nicolas Fest.

Shashi Tharoor calls EU MPs’ visit an “insult to democracy”

Congress leaders took to Twitter to criticise the visit by the Euopean Union MPs to Jammu and Kashmir two days ahead of the bifurcation deadline.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “MPs from Europe are welcome to go on a guided tour of Jammu and Kashmir while Indian MPs are banned and denied entry. There is something very wrong with that.” In August, Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were turned away from the Srinagar airport when they tried to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

My request, made during the LokSabha debate on Article 370, for an All-Party delegation of MPs to visit to see the situation for themselves, has still not been accepted. But members of the EuropeanParliament can travel as our Government's guests? What an #InsultToIndianDemocracy! https://t.co/uGwn9Op6y0

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2019

Delegation of European Union MPs leaves for Delhi airport

The group is dominated by right-wing deputies from Poland, France and Britain

Delhi: The delegation of European Union (EU) MPs scheduled to visit Kashmir today, leave for Delhi Airport from their hotel. pic.twitter.com/OwE2SvldKs

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2019