JAMMU: BJP Spokesperson and Convenor, International Affairs, Gaurav Gupta, J&K, on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan over the ongoing local body elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), describing the electoral exercise as a “sham”, an “eyewash” and a desperate attempt to manufacture legitimacy over what he called an illegally occupied territory.
Reacting to the ongoing polling process, Gupta alleged that the elections were being conducted under an atmosphere of intimidation, heavy deployment of Pakistani security forces and widespread fear.
“These are not elections in any democratic sense. They are being conducted at gunpoint under the watch of Pakistan’s military establishment. Ballot boxes surrounded by armed personnel cannot represent the free will of the people. This entire exercise is nothing but a political spectacle designed to deceive the international community,” Gupta said.
Referring to the ongoing unrest in PoJK, Gupta claimed that widespread protests over inflation, unemployment, governance failures and alleged political discrimination have exposed the growing disconnect between the people and the Pakistani establishment.
“For months, the people of PoJK have been on the streets demanding justice, basic rights and dignity. Instead of addressing their grievances, Pakistan has answered them with bullets, crackdowns, arbitrary detentions, internet blackouts and intimidation. The so-called local body elections are merely an attempt to distract global attention from the ground reality,” he said.
Gupta further claimed that the growing public resentment reflected the aspirations of the people of PoJK.
“The voice emerging from PoJK is becoming louder with every passing day. The people are rejecting Pakistan’s oppressive rule and increasingly aspire to reunite with India, where democracy, constitutional rights and development provide hope and opportunity. Pakistan cannot suppress this sentiment through force or fabricated electoral exercises,” he asserted.
Accusing Islamabad of attempting to legitimise its control through what he termed “manufactured democratic optics”, Gupta urged the international community to take note of the situation in the region.
“The world must not be misled by Pakistan’s propaganda. A regime that suppresses peaceful protesters, curtails civil liberties and governs through fear cannot claim democratic legitimacy. The international community should hold Pakistan accountable for alleged human rights violations in PoJK instead of accepting these cosmetic electoral exercises at face value,” he said.
Reiterating the BJP’s position, Gupta said that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, are an integral and inalienable part of India.
“No sham election, orchestrated under military control, can alter historical facts, constitutional reality or India’s unwavering national position. Pakistan’s attempts to create a false narrative through such exercises are destined to fail because the people of PoJK have begun speaking for themselves,” Gupta added.
