“New domicile law designed to change Kashmir’s demographic structure”: Pakistan to UNSC
Srinagar: Pakistan has again reached out to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over Jammu and Kashmir with the issue of the newly introduced domicile law in the region. In a letter to the UNSC, Pakistan foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, accused India of taking advantage of global focus on coronavirus to change Kashmir’s demographics.
On Sunday, Mr. Qureshi sent the letter to Jose Singer, the Special Envoy of the Dominican Republic who holds the UNSC President’s post this month, alleging that the Indian government’s new domicile rules for J-K were designed to change the “demographic structure” of J-K.
By far, India’s foreign ministry hasn’t responded to Pakistan’s effort. One Indian official said New Delhi will respond to Pakistan’s “three-page rant” at an appropriate time, reported Hindustan Times.
On 1 April, the Union Home Ministry had imposed new domicile law, which gives the state-privileges to anyone residing in the UT for fifteen years, or has studied for seven years with appearing for either tenth of twelfth standard examination in the region.
Pakistan said this “action and its possible consequences” had triggered fear among Kashmiris. “They are now threatened by “demographic flooding” by outsiders,” said Mr. Qureshi.
“The timing of the Indian action, at this moment of global health crisis, is particularly reprehensible as it seeks to take advantage of the international community’s focus on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and further advance the ruling BJP’s sinister, “Hindutva” agenda,” said Mr. Qureshi in his letter to the UNSC President.
Mr. Qureshi also accused India of ceasefire violations along the border of the two countries. There has been a spike in firing along the Line of Control, the de facto border this year; both countries blame each other for starting it off.
