India has rejected the statement issued by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), expressing concern over the decision of the Indian Supreme Court regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The OIC urged the cancellation of all measures related to its status. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi conveyed this response to reporters.
"India rejects the statement issued by the general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the Indian Supreme Court decision. It is incoherent and malicious," stated Bagchi. He added, "Such statements only undermine the credibility of the OIC."
"The OIC is acting at the behest of a consistent human rights violator and an unrepentant sponsor of cross-border terrorism, which puts its activities in an even more dubious light," highlighted the Indian diplomat.
Earlier, the general secretariat of the OIC issued a statement on its official website expressing concern over the Indian Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 of the country's constitution. Article 370 granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The OIC called for the repeal of all illegal and unilateral measures taken since August 5, 2019, aimed at altering the internationally recognized disputed status of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the abolition of the status
In 2019, the Government of India announced the decision to abolish the state of Jammu and Kashmir and create two union territories (with fewer rights than a state) in the region - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The move included the repeal of Article 370 of the constitution, which conferred special status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This decision received approval from both houses of the Indian Parliament.
Despite these changes, the government retained the right of Jammu and Kashmir to have its own legislative body, the Assembly, while Ladakh became a union territory without a legislative body.
Before the amendments to the Constitution of India, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed special autonomy. For instance, all laws passed by the central government (except for documents relating to defense, foreign relations, and some others) had to undergo approval from the state assembly. Residents of other regions of India had no right to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir. The region also had its own flag and a few other distinct advantages.
Kashmir has been a disputed territory between India and Pakistan since 1947 when British India, after gaining independence, split into two states along religious lines. The Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947 and 1965 were fought over this territory. Currently, Kashmir has no recognized state border, and its territory is divided by the Line of Control.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ville Miettinen/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS