Finally, Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row in Pakistan, got to meet his mother and wife in Islamabad on Monday. But meeting was a sham as the Indian government is not satisfied with the event was arranged.
The mother-wife duo was made to see Jadhav through a glass screen and communicate only through telephone. The meeting took place after requests by India for family access. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes.
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Jadhav who has been sentenced to capital punishment on charges of espionage, is in Pakistan’s captivity for 22 months. The death sentence remains suspended following the intervention of the International Court of Justice.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official on Tuesday said, prior to the meeting, the governments of the two countries were in touch through diplomatic channels to work out its modalities and format.
There were clear understandings between the two sides and the Indian side scrupulously abided by all its commitments. However, we note with regret that the Pakistani side conducted the meeting in a manner which violated the letter and spirit of our understandings, the official added.
On the subject of feedback received from the family, MEA said that it appears that Kulbhushan Jadhav was under considerable stress and speaking in an atmosphere of coercion.
Most of his remarks were clearly tutored and designed to perpetuate the false narrative of his alleged activities in Pakistan. His appearance also raises questions of his health and well being, said the MEA.
We also regret that contrary to assurances, the overall atmosphere of the meeting was intimidating insofar as family members were concerned. Family members, however, handled the situation with great courage and fortitude.
The manner in which the meeting was conducted and its aftermath was clearly an attempt to bolster a false and unsubstantiated narrative of Shri Jadhav’s alleged activities. You would all agree that this exercise lacked any credibility.
‘Misconduct’ by Pakistan
According to the official statement, the Pakistani press was allowed on multiple occasions to approach family members closely. This was despite a clear agreement that the media would not be allowed close access.
Under the pretext of security precautions, the cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded. This included removal of mangal sutra, bangles and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security, said the statement.
The MEA said that the mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav was prevented from talking in their native tongue, although this was clearly the natural medium of communication. She was repeatedly interrupted while doing so and was eventually prevented from proceeding further in this regard.
Deputy High Commissioner was initially separated from family members who were taken to the meeting without informing him. The meeting was started without his presence and he could join only after pressing the matter with concerned officials. Even then, he was kept behind an additional partition that did not allow him access to the meeting as agreed.
For some inexplicable reason, despite her repeated requests, the shoes of the Jadhav’s wife were not returned to her after the meeting. We would caution against any mischievous intent in this regard.