India on Tuesday strongly criticised the local body elections held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) describing the exercise as a "complete farce" that cannot conceal the ground realities in the region. Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the elections were taking place amid widespread public unrest and an ongoing security crackdown, asserting that the electoral process could not substitute for addressing the grievances of the local population.

The MEA alleged that Pakistan had responded to public protests in PoK with force instead of dialogue. Jaiswal claimed that since June, at least 90 civilians had lost their lives during the continuing crackdown, accusing the Pakistani establishment of resorting to "bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression" to suppress public dissent. He further said the elections were an attempt to create an appearance of legitimacy despite the prevailing unrest in the region.

India also criticised Pakistan's record on human rights, urging the international community to look beyond what it termed Islamabad's "flimsy veneer" of lecturing other countries on the issue. According to the MEA, Pakistan should be held accountable for its actions in PoK, where protests have intensified in recent weeks over rising living costs, alleged administrative neglect, political discrimination and reported atrocities against minority communities.

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The protests have largely been led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has organised demonstrations demanding greater accountability and relief for residents. During a long march from Rawalakote to Muzaffarabad late last month, Pakistani security forces reportedly used force to disperse protesters. Reports cited by the protesters claim that dozens of civilians were killed and several others sustained injuries during the operation, though official figures have not been independently verified.

The JAAC has since appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and international human rights organisations for an independent investigation into the alleged use of excessive force and what it described as unlawful killings. Pakistan has not publicly responded to India's latest remarks. The exchange adds to the longstanding diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with both countries continuing to maintain sharply opposing positions on developments in the disputed region.

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