Bidisha Roy

WASHINGTON(TIP): Half-truths, untruths, factually incorrect information is being disseminated in the US media regarding the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, said India‘s Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Ambassador Shringla made the comments in a podcast on Sept 3 and spoke on changing the paradigm in India’s Jammu & Kashmir – from cross-border terrorism and radicalization to jobs, inclusive development and a hope for peace.

“Over the past few weeks we have seen a great deal of speculation, some pedaling of half-truths, untruths, factually incorrect information that is disseminated in the media, primarily in the United States. Purpose of my conversation is really to bring to you the facts,” he said.

Seeking to counter what he called speculation, half-truths and untruths peddled in the media, primarily the U.S. media, Shringla said 91 percent of the Kashmir Valley is restriction-free and there is no communication gap. Rejecting reports of disruption in medical services in the valley due to the restrictive measures imposed by the government, Shringla said seven hundred thousand people had availed of OPD services in the month of August alone.

The administrative reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370 are India’s internal matter and do not impinge on the country’s external boundaries or the Line of Control, Shringla  said. Article 370 was meant to be temporary in nature and should have been abrogated a long time ago, he explained, adding that due legislative process was followed by the government in doing away with the provision. He said that the reason why these measures were taken was to “ensure that the positive steps of the government should not be scuttled due to incitement and vested interests from across the border.”