Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar asks if Internet cut is more dangerous than loss of lives

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar spoke on the scrapping of Article 370 in Kashmir during a meeting being held in the United States on Monday. He simultaneously slammed individuals who criticize the ceasing of internet services in situations of law and order.

He questioned the 'big song and dance' about internet being cut and asserted that if people have reached a stage where they say that an internet cut is more dangerous than losing human lives, then what could he say. He also said that a temporary provision of the constitution has been finally put to rest. It was supposed to be an act of majoritarianism. Proceeding further, he questioned whether what was happening in Kashmir not an act of majoritarianism? He said that the facts are slanted and there is a debate between right and wrong, which is politics at work.

Three years ago, the NDA-led government scrapped the provisions of Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which allocated special provisions to Jammu and Kashmir. It was divided into two parts, namely J&K and Ladakh. It was highlighted as a 'historic' move at that time, which was an effort to 'unite and integrate India'. As it borders Pakistan, the law and order situations in Jammu and Kashmir have been a concerning matter, and therefore they also affect internet services in the area.

Recently, Jaishankar shared moments of his meeting with US defence secretary Lloyd Austi on Twitter. He tweeted that defence and security cooperation is imperative in the partnership between India and USA. They have noticed a steady progress in policy exchange, defense trade, interoperability, military-industrial cooperation and service exercises.