At a time when even prominent Opposition leaders in India have been denied permission to enter Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the visit by European Union (EU) lawmakers seems to be suspicious (Front page, “European lawmakers begin J&K visit,” Oct. 30). What is even more perplexing is the lawmakers’ statement that they are here not to interfere in India’s politics and that they support New Delhi’s efforts to end terrorism. If their visit is not for assessing the realities in Kashmir, why was it arranged at all? Was it just for them to visit tourist spots, talk to a handful of people carefully vetted by the Centre and finally give an ‘all-is-fine’ certificate? This seems to be yet another piece of drama enacted by the Bharatiya Janata Party to show that even foreign lawmakers have been impressed with the situation in Kashmir.
D. Sethuraman,
Chennai
The criticism emanating from the Opposition parties over the visit of 23 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to J&K is not without rationale. The Centre’s gesture to allow the MEPs to enter the erstwhile State, when our own MPs have been denied the privilege, is an affront to Indian Parliament. It is time the BJP government lifts restrictions imposed on the people of Kashmir and restores fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution to them without any delay. Absence or lack of effort by the Central government to address the growing apprehensions from the international community over human rights violations in Kashmir would only erode further the already limited support it enjoys over its decision to dilute Article 370.
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
