March 5, New Delhi: India has dismissed the UN Human rights chief’s concerns about democratic backsliding especially in Manipur. India has firmly rejected concerns raised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, regarding democratic backsliding and human rights issues in the country, particularly in regions like Kashmir and Manipur.
During the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk expressed apprehensions about the use of restrictive laws, harassment of human rights defenders, and the shrinking civic space in India, including in Kashmir. He also called for intensified efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur through dialogue and peace-building measures.
In response, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, dismissed Türk’s comments as “unfounded and baseless,” asserting that they were inconsistent with ground realities. Bagchi emphasized that India’s democracy and institutions remain robust, underpinning the nation’s diversity and development. He stated, “The people of India have repeatedly proven wrong such misplaced concerns about us,” and urged a deeper understanding of India’s civilizational ethos of diversity and openness, which he said continues to define the country’s vibrant civic space.
Bagchi particularly criticized Türk’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the region was “erroneously referred to as Kashmir.” He highlighted that 2024 has been a year of significant progress in the Union Territory, marked by high voter turnout in assembly elections, booming tourism, and rapid development. “Nothing illustrates this divergence more than the passing reference to Jammu and Kashmir, erroneously referred to as Kashmir, ironically in a year that stood out for that region’s improving peace and inclusive progress,” Bagchi remarked.
The Indian diplomat also accused Türk’s statement of oversimplifying complex issues, making sweeping generalizations, and using loose terminology. Bagchi argued that such an approach undermines the credibility of the assessment and fails to capture the nuanced realities on the ground. He further suggested that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) should introspect, stating, “The High Commissioner has sensed a pervasive unease, but we would submit that a key element to addressing this is a long and hard look in the mirror by the Office of the High Commissioner.”
In his address, Türk emphasized that the solution to global unease lies in greater respect for human rights, not less. However, India’s response underscored its commitment to democratic principles and rejected external criticism as misinformed. Bagchi’s remarks reflect India’s stance that its democratic processes and developmental achievements speak for themselves, and any assessment of its human rights situation should be based on accurate and comprehensive understanding rather than selective narratives.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between India and international human rights bodies, with New Delhi asserting its sovereignty and rejecting what it perceives as biased or uninformed critiques. India’s strong rebuttal underscores its determination to defend its democratic credentials and developmental progress on the global stage.
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