British parliament will have a general debate on Thursday on alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir,a move India says "will not be helpful" for bilateral ties. Conservative MP Steve Baker,along with four other MPs has given notice for the debate in the House of Commons. According to sources,India has conveyed to Britain that the debate "will not be helpful." There was no comment on the issue from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Baker possibly faces pressure from roughly 6,000 constituents from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,to take up Kashmir's "cause" in the House. Other MPs who helped Baker secure the debate too are from constituencies with numerically strong Pakistani voters: Jason McCartney (Conservative),Andrew Griffiths (Conservative),Denis MacShane (Labour party) and Nic Dakin (Labour). Pressure from such voters influence British lawmakers. According to Baker,the purpose of the debate is to force the British Government to take up the matter of alleged human rights violation with the Indian Government. Baker also requested a vote on the debate but the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee rejected it.
