Indian, Baloch Demonstrators Protest Outside Pak Embassy in Washington Over Kulbhushan Jadhav Issue

By Little India Desk | January 8, 2018

Several Indian Americans, Balochs and Afghan activists protested outside the Pakistan embassy in Washington, holding shoes and placards scribbled with the phrase “#ChappalChorPakistan.” on Jan. 8 over the mistreatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav’s wife and mother when they visited Islamabad last month. Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, 47, is on death row in Pakistan.

The protesters said that Pakistan’s conduct with Jadhav’s wife and mother in their tightly controlled interaction is condemnable. Saying this, they donated a carton full of used shoes to Pakistan embassy. “(Like) When they stole the chappal of a woman who was in distress, I hope they use these also,” one protester said, pointing at the shoes lined up outside the Pakistan embassy, ANI reported.

“The trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav violated all norms of international law as it was conducted by a military court,” Ahmar Mustikhan, the founder of the American Friends of Balochistan, which organized the event “Chappal Chor Pakistan,” told PTI. The Baloch protesters hoped to draw attention to the issue of Balochistan and their mistreatment by the Pakistan government.

“Pakistan has made a mockery of humanity. By not returning Jadhav’s wife’s slippers and asking them to remove their bindi and mangalsutra and changing their clothes as well, it is just another sleazy activity Pakistan has done to a Bharatiya saubhagya nari (married Indian woman),” Krishna Gudipati, a local community leader in the United States, told the news agency.

Washington DC: A group of Indian-Americans & Balochs held a protest by the name ‘#ChappalChorPakistan‘ outside Pakistan embassy over the misbehavior meted out to #KulbhushanJadhav‘s mother & wife. pic.twitter.com/iVssgetFZQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2018

The protesters were raising their voice against the treatment meted out to Jadhav’s wife Chetankul and mother Avanti when the two visited him on Christmas Day in Islamabad. They were asked to remove their mangalsutra, bindi, and bangles. They were also forced to change their clothes before the 40-minute meeting was held with Jadhav over an intercom, as he was kept separated by a glass screen in the Pakistan Foreign Office. The Pakistani authorities took away Chetankul’s footwear, and later said that there “was something metallic in it.”

#WATCH: Indian-Americans & Baloch held #ChappalChorPakistan protest outside Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC, over misbehavior of Pakistani authorities with #KulbhushannJadhav‘s mother & wife. pic.twitter.com/o6ugCr2NQL

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2018

Pakistani military court sentenced Jadhav to death for alleged espionage in April, an accusation India says is fabricated. India has moved the International Court with regard to this case, and the court ordered Pakistan in May last year to stay the execution. India says Jadhav, a businessman, was abducted in Iran and brought to Pakistan. While Pakistan claims Jadhav is commander rank naval officer, India says he is a former naval officer. The International Court of Justice is expected to hear this case in March or April this year.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for providing safe havens for terrorists. Washington suspended about $2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for its inaction regarding the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups operating from its territory.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018