Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Smooth governance in India’s J&K, suppression across border: Tasleema Akhter and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Human rights defender Tasleema Akhter, Chairperson of the Association of Terror Victims in Kashmir, delivered a strong rebuttal to Pakistan’s narrative at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Speaking to the media, Akhter emphasised that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is an inseparable part of India and highlighted the stark contrast in governance and rights between the two regions. She said Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India’s Jammu and Kashmir. If you look at the difference between Indian Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, you will see that basic rights of the common people are completely absent there. There is no freedom of speech, she added.
Akhter underscored the functioning democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir, contrasting it with the suppression across the border. Tasleema said, the system here is running very smoothly. The politics in Jammu and Kashmir is functioning in a very different and effective way. Everyone is doing their work, the Army is handling its responsibilities, and social activists are doing their part. No one is interrupting anyone, and this is a good situation. However, in Pakistan, if someone talks about fundamental rights, they are sent to jail, she said.
Her intervention at Geneva was seen as a powerful counter to Pakistan’s propaganda, reinforcing India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir while spotlighting the plight of victims of terrorism.