Top civil rights leader announces plan to lead delegation to Pakistan amidst post-war tensions

By A Representative

In a significant move, well-known academic and civil rights leader Sandeep Pandey has announced the plan to send a 22-member delegation to Pakistan to engage in dialogue with its government and civil society. The delegation proposed to go to Pakistan under the banner of Socialist Party (India) as a fact-finding mission to help seek solution to continuing tensions between the two countries over the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pandey, who is the party's general secretary, in a statement, criticized the Indian government for refusing to acknowledge the bilateral nature of the conflict and for excluding Pakistan and China from the diplomatic delegations sent abroad to mobilize international support. Seven Indian delegations were dispatched globally to portray Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism, but he said, most countries were not convinced, maintaining that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism.

Pakistan's recent appointment as the Vice-Chair of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2025, and its receipt of a $1 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, have further challenged India’s narrative on the global stage. Citing past events, such as the U.S. operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011, Pandey pointed out that even the U.S. refrained from labeling Pakistan a terrorist state or launching any military action against it.

"If the issue is truly bilateral, then India must engage directly with Pakistan to resolve it," said Pandey, adding that India continues to conduct dialogue and trade with China, despite the killing of 20 Indian soldiers by Chinese forces in 2020.

The Socialist Party has formally requested a visa from the Pakistani Prime Minister and sought permission from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs to cross the Wagah border.

Kashmir Visit Reveals Gaps in Civilian Protection

Earlier, a 14-member delegation of the party visited war-affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir — including Rajouri, Poonch, and Uri — from 25 to 30 May 2025. According to the party, families of those killed in the conflict expressed that they were unaware of the impending war on 7 May, and had they been informed, they could have relocated to safer areas and saved their loved ones.

Crackdown in Srinagar over Pro-Palestine Solidarity

From 21 to 25 June, the party organized a Socialism School in Srinagar, which ended in controversy when workers were detained at Maisuma police station for displaying a banner of the India-Palestine Solidarity Forum without prior permission. Among those detained was Shahnawaz Mir, General Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who was held for nearly 24 hours. Mir was later made to provide a written statement at the office of the Naib Tehsildar.

The Socialist Party condemned the harassment of Mir and the daily oppression faced by Kashmiris, while also denouncing the ongoing atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. The party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic struggles for justice and rights across borders.

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