India has strongly responded to UN human rights chief Volker Turk’s comments on Kashmir and Manipur, asserting that it remains a “healthy, vibrant and pluralist society.” During the 58th UN Human Rights Council session, India’s permanent representative Arindam Bagchi emphasized that the country’s reality contradicts the “unfounded” concerns raised by Turk. He highlighted the successful elections and development in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a more informed understanding of India’s democratic ethos. Turk had expressed concerns about violence in Manipur and criticized restrictions on human rights defenders and journalists, urging dialogue and peacebuilding efforts.
India has issued a robust response to remarks made by UN human rights chief Volker Turk regarding Kashmir and Manipur, asserting that the world’s largest democracy remains a “healthy, vibrant, and pluralist society”.
During the 58th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, Arindam Bagchi, India’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, stated, “Given that India was named, I want to start by stressing that the world’s largest democracy remains a healthy, vibrant, and pluralistic society. The unfounded and baseless comments in the update sharply contrast with the realities on the ground.”
“The people of India have repeatedly disproven such misguided concerns, and we urge a deeper understanding of India and our civilizational ethos of diversity and openness, which continue to characterize our dynamic and often discordant civic space,” he added.
VIDEO | 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council: Here are the remarks made by India’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, in response to UN human rights chief Volker Turk’s comments on Kashmir and Manipur.
“Given that India was named, I want to begin… pic.twitter.com/xlnoJvxydb
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 3, 2025
Referring to the successful conduct of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Bagchi remarked, “Nothing demonstrates this discrepancy more than the brief mention of Jammu and Kashmir, mistakenly referred to as Kashmir. Ironically, this comes in a year notable for the region’s improved peace and inclusive progress, including high voter turnout in provincial elections, a surge in tourism, and rapid development. Clearly, the global update requires a genuine update,” he explained.
During the Human Rights Council session, Turk highlighted India and commented on the situations in Manipur and Kashmir, calling for “heightened” efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur. He emphasized that these efforts should be grounded in dialogue, peacebuilding, and human rights.
The UN rights council chief also expressed concern regarding the use of restrictive laws and the harassment of human rights defenders and independent journalists, which has led to arbitrary detentions and a constricted civic space, particularly in Kashmir.
“India’s democracy and its institutions are its greatest strengths, supporting its diversity and development. Sustaining democracy requires ongoing encouragement of participation and inclusion at every societal level,” he concluded.