The Indian government has taken strong exception to anti-India posters that were put up in Geneva of Switzerland. The incident has triggered an official protest by the Indian government, as well as summoning of Swiss envoy to India.
On March 27, dozens of posters were seen in various parts of Geneva, which portrayed an incorrect and baseless picture of the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan. The posters contained false information and fabricated images, which were aimed at defaming India.
The posters were put up by members of the Pakistan-based extremist group, Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), along with supporters of an Islamist political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The posters were sighted outside the United Nations (UN) office, near the Geneva train station, and other public places in the city.
The images on the posters falsely depicted Indian troops committing heinous crimes and atrocities against the people of Kashmir. They also contained lies about the Indian government’s handling of the situation in Kashmir.
India took strong exception to the anti-India posters, especially as they were put up under the pretext of “global solidarity” with the people of Kashmir. The Indian government described the posters as a “direct attack” on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In response to these developments, India’s Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, summoned the Swiss envoy, Alexandre Ziegler, and lodged a formal protest. During the meeting, Shringla conveyed India’s displeasure and urged the Swiss government to take action against those who were spreading false information and propaganda.
Furthermore, India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva issued a statement calling for the UN to take a strong stand against the spreading of fake news and propaganda. The statement emphasized India’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law, while expressing concern that anti-India propaganda was being spread in Switzerland under the guise of “humanitarian concern.”
India’s response to the anti-India posters has been praised by many, who saw it as a strong rebuke to those who were spreading false information and propaganda. The incident has also highlighted India’s determination to protect its territorial integrity and national security interests.
The incident in Geneva comes at a time when India’s relationship with Pakistan is strained due to the continued violence in Kashmir. India has accused Pakistan of aiding and abetting terrorism in Kashmir, while Pakistan has accused India of human rights violations and suppressing the voices of the people of Kashmir.
The situation in Kashmir has been a longstanding issue between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming the region as their own. The conflict has been ongoing since the partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan.
Despite numerous efforts to resolve the conflict, including UN initiatives, bilateral talks, and ceasefire agreements, the situation in Kashmir remains tense. Violence and human rights violations have been reported from both sides, and tensions often flare up, leading to border skirmishes and military encounters.
The anti-India posters in Geneva are just the latest example of the propaganda war that is being waged between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. While India has denounced these posters as false and baseless, Pakistan has defended them, claiming that they represent the “truth” about the situation in Kashmir.
However, the posters have been widely criticized by human rights groups and other organizations, who argue that they are intended to spread hatred and perpetuate the conflict between India and Pakistan. The posters have also been condemned by the international community, with many calling for an end to the propaganda war and for both sides to come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir conflict.
In conclusion, the anti-India posters in Geneva have sparked a strong response from the Indian government, which has protested against the spreading of false information and propaganda. While the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan remains unresolved, it is important that both sides refrain from spreading hatred and propaganda, and work towards finding a peaceful solution to this longstanding issue.