United Nations has dismissed Pakistan’s calls for removing Bollywood actress and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra as a goodwill ambassador, after the South Asian nation accused her of supporting nuclear war.
Amid a growing verbal stoush with India over Kashmir, Pakistan trained its guns on Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, with Pakistan’s Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari writing to the UN, accusing the former Miss World of backing the Indian government’s move to strip Kashmir of its special status. The minister said her position was against the principles of “peace and goodwill”, and called for her “immediate” removal.
“Her jingoism and support for violations on Kashmir, as well as support for war, including a nuclear war, undermines the credibility of the UN position to which she has been elevated,” Ms Mazari wrote.
“Unless she is removed immediately, the very idea of a UN goodwill ambassador for peace becomes a mockery globally,” she added.
However, the UN clarified that Ms Chopra retains the right to express her personal views.
“We expect them to adhere to impartial positions when they speak on behalf of UNICEF or any other organization. When they speak in their personal capacity, they retain the right to speak about issues of interests or concern to them,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told journalists.
“Their personal views, however, do not reflect those of the agency with which they may be affiliated,” Mr Dujarric added.
Earlier this month, a Pakistani woman confronted Ms Chopra at an event in the US and called her a “hypocrite” over a tweet backing the Indian armed forces that the 37-year-old actor had posted in February when India and Pakistan were going through a heightened military standoff.
She reportedly responded to the audience member by saying “war is not something I’m really fond of but I am patriotic”.
What reignited India-Pakistan tensions
India and Pakistan were embroiled in a military standoff in February this year after India fighter jets crossed into Pakistani airspace and dropped bombs at what India claimed a terrorist training camp.
India claimed it carried out February 26 airstrike based on intelligence in the wake of an IED blast that killed 40 paramilitary personnel in Pulwama, in Indian Kashmir on February 14, that more attacks were being planned by groups active in Pakistan.
While Pakistan refuted Indian claims, including those of a successful airstrike, the country retaliated by sending its military fighter jets into Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking concerns of war before tensions began to cool off.
Tensions have been reignited once again after India revoked Kashmir's special status by scrapping a special provision in the Indian constitution, and bifurcated the state of Jammu & Kashmir into two different territories, bringing it under the direct administration of New Delhi.
As a result of this, the already tense relationship between the two countries has further worsened.
In response to India's move, Pakistan has decided to suspend trade, downgrade diplomatic ties and stop the bus and train links with India.
