Congress attacks PDP over its J&K map

NEW DELHI: Congress has condemned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over its map of Jammu and Kashmir that showed Aksai Chin and Karakoram region as parts of China. The map, displayed by PDP during a power point presentation on Saturday, fuelled a controversy as Congress called the depiction of various regions of J&K in yellowgreen and red as “highly objectionable.”

Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the map, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said: “PDP’s depiction of map of Jammu and Kashmir in yellow-green-red is highly objectionable. Whatever may have been the motivation or objective, this kind of pictorial adventurism has long-term diplomatic and political consequences.”

In PDP’s map, Aksai Chin and Karakoram region are painted in red and shown as parts of China. Similarly, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is painted in green. The depiction is seen as an acceptance of the occupation of these areas by the respective countries. India considers these areas as part of its territory.

Speaking to reporters in the capital, Tewari said: “Maybe PDP does not remember that on February 22, 1994, Parliament of India had unanimously passed a resolution that J&K is an integral part of India.

This resolution even underlined India’s views on PoK. Seeing the gravity of the situation without getting into clarification, which will further tie PDP into knots, they will be well-advised to withdraw the map.” PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, however, said that her party had not done anything to challenge the sovereignty of the country. Congress did not take too kindly to her remarks that the Centre seemed scared of China.

“The president of PDP is talking on issues which are none of her concern. This is the exclusive preserve of the Union of India... For anybody to suggest what PDP president has, for the sake of modesty we don’t use very harsh words, but it is completely immature,” Tewari said.