India slams Pakistan at the UN for its poor record on women’s rights. The country called out Pakistan’s campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400,000 women during Operation Searchlight in 1971. This remark came as Islamabad tried to highlight the “plight” of Kashmiri women at the forum.
During a passionate speech in the UN Security Council debate on women and security, India’s permanent representative Parvathaneni Harish condemned Pakistan for its “delusional tirades,” especially regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
India criticize the Pakistan for Hypocrisy on Women’s Rights
“Our strong record on women, peace, and security is clear and intact. A country that bombs its own people and commits systematic genocide can only try to distract the world with misdirection and exaggeration,” Harish said.
The “bombing its own people” comment referred to the Pakistani air force killing over 30 people, including children, in an overnight air strike in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last month.
About Operation Searchlight
Notably, the India representative at the UN brought up Operation Searchlight from 1971. During this operation, the Pakistani army launched a harsh crackdown against Bengalis in what was then East Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of women were detained and repeatedly abused.
The operation was led by Pakistan’s infamous military commander, General Tikka Khan, who earned the nickname “Butcher of Bengal.” These atrocities occurred during the 1971 Liberation War, that led to the creation of Bangladesh as Pakistan accepted defeat and surrendered unconditionally in Dhaka.
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