Kashmiri Pandits slam Mann for meeting UK MP Dhesi

leaders to clarify their stand as the British lawmaker is known for his anti-India stance. “The meeting has worried the Kashmiri Pandit community, who were victims of terrorism. It is very unfortunate that the AAP government in Punjab is going the extra mile to welcome British Labour Party MP, whose views are pro-separatist and anti-India,” Amit Raina, spokesperson of the Delhi-based body said here. “The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A have been the most welcome step in the last 30 years of fighting jihad and terrorism in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Therefore, it is very disturbing to see a Chief Minister of Punjab entertaining a well-known supporter of Pakistan,” he said. Dhesi met Mann along with AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha last week. Raina said, the UK MP believes that Kashmir is a disputed territory and India has no right to abrogate Article 370, adding that he has been quite vocal on conducting plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, a line very similar to Pakistan on this issue”. He also alleged, “Dhesi has a closed link with Khalistani outfits ‘Sikh Federation UK’ the same group had organized an event with Sikh Network, where former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was awarded a lifetime achievement award.” The organization also demanded the government immediately revoke the OIC cards of Dhesi and deport him like they did with Debbie Abrahams, a colleague of Dhesi. Dhesi has been critical of the Indian government’s decision of revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and had also backed the farmer’s protest. In December 2020, Dhesi raised the farmers’ protest issue in the British Parliament. (UNI)