New Delhi: The Congress never misses an opportunity to politicise India's domestic matters, the BJP said on Sunday, reacting to MP Shashi Tharoor's praise for the introduction of a resolution in the US House of Representatives against the restrictions imposed by the centre in Jammu and Kashmir. In reply, Mr Tharoor accused the BJP of "wilful misreading" of his tweet, adding the party shelters behind national interests when it "conducts indefensible policies".

"Amused by the BJP's wilful misreading of my tweet. What's shameful is how our Parliament has been unable to take up this issue, while a foreign legislature has. What's admirable is that the US Congress can discuss issues our own MPs can't," Mr Tharoor tweeted.

Earlier today, BJP MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Tejasvi Surya had slammed Mr Tharoor for calling the move "admirable".

"Shame on you for admiring US interference on India's internal matters. For the very first time J&K is witnessing very less terror activities and people are feeling safer. But the Congress never missed any opportunity to politicise India's domestic matters and defame the country!" BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje tweeted.
The resolution, which was moved by Indian-American Democrat lawmaker Pramila Jayapal, along with Republican lawmaker Steve Watkins, asks the Indian government to "lift the remaining restrictions on communication and to restore internet access across all of Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible; swiftly release arbitrarily detained people in Jammu and Kashmir; refrain from conditioning the release of detained people on their willingness to sign bonds prohibiting any political activities and speeches; allow international human rights observers and journalists to access Jammu and Kashmir and operate freely throughout India, without threats, and condemn, at the highest levels, all religiously motivated violence, including that violence which targets against religious minorities."

Mr Tharoor had praised the move by US House of Representatives.

"Restore Internet, End Detentions In Jammu&Kashmir, Says Bipartisan Resolution In US House. Admirable effort by US reps, whereas in our Parliament we have been unable even to have a discussion on the subject of Kashmir in the entire winter session. Shame," he tweeted.
Several politicians, including three former chief ministers of the state, were either arrested or detained before the centre announced its twin decisions - ending special status to Jammu and Kashmir and the bifurcation of the state- in parliament on August 5. Mobile phone communication was also banned as a precautionary measure. The centre says it has eased several restrictions over the months.

India had called the decisions in Kashmir an internal matter.

There have been two US Congress hearings on Jammu and Kashmir so far.

In October, India said it is regrettable that a few US lawmakers used a Congressional hearing to question measures to protect the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is regrettable that a few members of the US Congress used the Congressional hearing on human rights in South Asia to question the measures taken recently to safeguard life, peace and security in Kashmir," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said.

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