(Image source from: presstv.com)

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet warns India that Divisive policies will hurt its economic growth.

She says that inequality is serious issue and said that narrow political agendas are driving the marginalisation of vulnerable people.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, she said that, "I fear that these divisive policies will not only harm many individuals, but also undermine the success of India's economic growth story.”

"We are receiving reports that indicate increasing harassment and targeting of minorities - in particular Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalised groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis," Bachelet added.

On recent India-Pakistan confrontation, she said that both countries should invite UN Human Rights commission to monitor situation on ground in Jammu and Kashmir.

she said it remains a huge concern about rising tension in Kashmir where ceasefire violations occurring along the Line of Control (LoC)

"I encourage both India and Pakistan to invite my office to monitor the situation on the ground, and to assist both states to address the human rights issues that must be part of any solution to the conflict."

Bachelet said that inequalities and divisive policies affects all countries, she added that people feel excluded from the benefits of development.

"Inequalities affect all countries... Even in prosperous states, people feel excluded from the benefits of development and deprived of economic and social rights -leading to alienation, unrest, and sometimes violence. In recent months, we have seen people across the world take to the streets to protest inequalities and deteriorating economic and social conditions," she said

By Sai Kumar