The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member Islamic bloc, has opposed the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and supported the right to self-determination for Kashmiris, evoking a strong reaction from Delhi.
OIC general secretariat, in a statement, expressed concern over the top court verdict and reiterated its call to reverse “all illegal and unilateral measures taken since 5 August 2019 aimed at changing the internationally recognised disputed status of the territory”.
“The General Secretariat reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their quest for the right of self-determination and reiterates its call on the international community to enhance its efforts to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the statement said.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) rejected the OIC’s statement as “ill-informed” and “ill-intended”.
“That OIC does so at the behest of a serial violator of human rights and an unrepentant promoter of cross-border terrorism makes its action even more questionable. Such statements only undermine OIC’s credibility,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, referring to Pakistan.
India has in the past also rejected the OIC’s statements, accusing it of acting at the behest of Pakistan.
The OIC has firmly supported Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, although several individual countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE enjoy cordial relations with India.
The Supreme Court had on Monday upheld the Centre’s August 5, 2019, decision to abrogate Article 370 provisions and ruled it was a temporary provision.
