VB Fact Check: Omar Abdullah refutes claims of NC seeking US diplomat meeting in J&K
calls allegations misinformation
New Delhi: A video has been circulating across social media platforms which claims that "US diplomats met with Omar Abdullah just after elections were announced in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). They are meeting all the anti-India/Modi elements one by one."
The video along with the claim is reportedly gaining significant traction across various social media platforms.
Meanwhile, CNN News18 anchor and consulting editor Rahul Shivshankar in a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter) alleged that the National Conference had invited the US diplomats to persuade them to withdraw travel advisories issued to US citizens against visiting J&K.
Shivshankar also questioned whether the central government was aware of this meeting and whether such a meeting was necessary, suggesting that it might amount to involving third parties in India's internal affairs.
He also questioned the diplomats' separate meeting with AMIM Chief Owaisi, “Earlier U.S diplomats had thanked Owaisi for his "hospitality" and expressed appreciation for the "informed and important views on a range of shared issues and concerns" that were discussed during the visit. What were these "shared issues and concerns."? Doesn't this amount to involving 3rd parties to interlocute in Bharat's internal affairs? Would U.S like Indian envoys to hold meetings to "share concerns" with their politicians on their soil? And that too, especially in the midst of an election. And if the U.S can have meetings why aren't our diplomats doing the same? Hopefully they are. There have been no briefings by MEA to explain the context. Why?”
In a subsequent post, Shivshankar referenced a 14-year-old news article titled "WikiLeaks cable: Rahul Gandhi warned US of Hindu extremist threat." He suggested that, in light of this, there is a need to understand what exactly transpired during the recent closed-door meetings. He further questioned whether Owaisi, Rahul Gandhi, and the US diplomat shared the same concerns.
Responding to Shivshankar’s allegation, Omar Abdullah in another post called the claims out as misinformation and disinformation. He clarified that the NC did not seek out the US diplomats; rather, the diplomats had requested the meeting. Abdullah stated, “Dear Mr Shivshankar, Normally I’d ignore misinformation/disinformation that is sought to be passed off as fact but since are an editor in chief & have a leadership role in your organisation I’ll make an exception. Firstly NC did not seek a meeting with US diplomats, they reached out and asked us to meet them. Secondly you seem to be poorly informed about the procedure foreign diplomats have to follow when visiting Kashmir so I’m attaching a screenshot of a recent Indian Express article & would request you to read the part about the permissions diplomats have to take so you don’t jump to conclusions again. Lastly, I’m so glad you’ve only objected to the diplomats meeting me & not the other politicians in Srinagar. It reassures me about where I stand in the BJP/Sangh ecosystem. (SIC)”
The meeting in question reportedly took place on August 26, 2024, when US diplomats, including Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer and First Secretary Gary Applegarth, visited National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar's Gupkar area, as reported by the Indian Express.
According to the report, Foreign diplomats visiting J&K are required to obtain special permissions from the government, specifically through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). These permissions are not granted lightly; they involve careful deliberations between the MEA, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and various intelligence agencies.
Dear Mr Shivshankar,
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 28, 2024
Normally I’d ignore misinformation/disinformation that is sought to be passed off as fact but since are an editor in chief & have a leadership role in your organisation I’ll make an exception. Firstly NC did not seek a meeting with US diplomats, they reached… https://t.co/JbYGoE1Aa0 pic.twitter.com/LhLyPvIUVs
What's going on?
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 27, 2024
After meeting AIMIM chief Owaisi,
U.S diplomats visit NC leader Omar Abdullah. We are told they were invited by NC to convince U.S to withdraw travel advisories issued to US citizens against visiting J&K.
Was Centre kept in loop? Couldn't Centre have… pic.twitter.com/lQBwTxd29w
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
