Kashmir is no longer a state now after the bifurcation of the volatile region into two union territories. Amid the series of events happening in Kashmir post the abrogation of special status by the Indian government, the visit by European Union delegates marked a crucial and controversial affair.
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While the Indian government extended an invitation to the European Union parliamentarians in a cautiously coordinated manner to analyze the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the list of invitees only stirred a controversy.
While the ruling party in India, the BJP has been accused of representing a staunch right-wing political ideology, the members of the EU delegation invited for an all-paid Kashmir visit reflects a right-wing mindset.
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This draws a similarity between the two factions and that is one of the major reasons why this particular delegation extended support to India’s stance on Kashmir. Islamophobia is a common concern for both BJP and EU’s far right-wing parliamentarians.
According to some analysts, a collective sense of Islamophobia between the BJP and Europe Union’s far-right group is the reason for a growing alliance between the two factions. The Muslim majority Kashmir region has been under a heavy crackdown ever since the government’s moves in the region were announced and this certainly pleased the right-wing lobby of the European Union which sees Islam as a threat.
Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party which is staunchly conservative was also represented in this delegation along with other anti-immigrant and conservative ideologies.
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During the visit, the delegates were taken to parts of Srinagar amid curfew and reports of some mild clashes. They also took a boat ride at the famous Dal Lake and the visit ultimately ended with a press conference where the EU members lauded the efforts of Narendra Modi to combat the menace of global terrorism.
Clearly, a lot remains ignored in Kashmir despite this visit by the European leaders. Kashmir is still in a lockdown state with internet and most fundamental rights suspended. Normalcy remains a distant dream in present-day Kashmir and it continues to be one of the most volatile zones in the world.
