NDP’S Jagmeet denounces India on Article 370 move

LEADER HAS WADED INTO THE ISSUE EVEN AS CANADA’S RULING LIBERALS AND THE PRINCIPAL OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVES HAVE REMAINED LARGELY SILENT ON DECISION

TORONTO:NEW Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh denounced India on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, saying he was sure human rights violations were going on in the state.

On August 5, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to J&K.

During a campaign event as part of the upcoming federal elections in the country, Jagmeet said, “I denounce what India is doing to the people of Kashmir.”

The NDP leader has waded into the issue even as Canada’s ruling Liberals and the principal opposition Conservatives have remained largely silent on India’s decision.

Responding to a question, he said, “Anywhere in the world if telephone and mobile communications shut down and the media blocked, then I can assure you there’s human rights violations going on. I want the people of Kashmir to know that I stand with you in the injustice that is happening (sic)”.

This isn’t the first time the NDP has attacked India on J&K. On August 6 this year, its foreign affairs critic Guy Caron had said his party was “deeply concerned” over what he described as the “Indian government’s crackdown” in the territory. Caron had also called on the Justin Trudeau government to “find the courage to firmly communicate these human rights concerns to Indian authorities”.