MP from IIOJK says Washington has no mandate to comment on Kashmir status
Mehdi slams US envoy's ‘what belongs to whom’ statement on Kashmir
Srinagar: National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir Agha Ruhullah Mehdi has criticised the US Ambassador, Sergio Gor, saying that Washington has “no mandate” to comment on the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing media persons in Srinagar, Mehdi questioned the legitimacy being sought from the US envoy at a time when “bloodshed is ongoing in Palestine and Iran.”
“If I were to receive legitimacy from the US ambassador, I would throw that legitimacy into the river. Now, when there is bloodshed in Palestine and Iran, the very perpetrator comes here to grant me legitimacy?” he said. “What belongs to whom, whether the situation here is good or bad — why do I need to seek legitimacy for that from the US?” he added.
The MP was responding to Ambassador Gor’s visit to occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 19, during which the US envoy in oblivion of the UN-acknowledged disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir described the territory as “an important part of India,” triggering a diplomatic row.
Mehdi said the US has no mandate to comment on the status of Jammu and Kashmir. “Who is part of what and who isn’t, is our internal matter; the US has nothing to do with this. Whether conditions here are fine or not is none of the US’ business,” he stated.
He also questioned Omar Abdullah over the meeting with the US envoy. “Did you, on behalf of your people, ask him why they, and their ally Israel, are committing unjust killings in Palestine, Gaza, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon? Even if you didn’t ask, did you at least lodge a note of protest before the US ambassador against the bloodshed they are causing?” Mehdi asked.
The MP said the people of Jammu and Kashmir “recognise them as perpetrators” and that “our protest against them stands firm.” Mehdi further lashed out at the NC leadership, accusing it of diluting the struggle for political rights of Jammu and Kashmir. “Instead of Article 370, instead of rights and guarantees, they have now come down to statehood and even business rules,” he said. He said he received a mandate from the people to fight for the restoration of rights, not merely to demand statehood.
“If the party wants me to resign, it should send a show-cause notice,” he added. The NC leadership has not responded to Mehdi’s remarks.
