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The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin on Monday criticized British Medical Journal ‘The Lancet’ for its editorial on Jammu and Kashmir that described the revocation of Article 370 as a “controversial move”.

According to the American Association, the editorial was premature, biased and reprehensible for “lack of due diligence in research and consultation with proprieties or stakeholders”.

The response by American Association to The Lancet days comes after the Indian Medical Association criticized journal, saying it was unfortunate that it had “committed breach of propriety by commenting on a political issue”. It also condemned journal of “interference into an internal matter of Union of India”.

Indian Medical Association on behalf of the medical fraternity of India withdraws the esteem we had for the Lancet. pic.twitter.com/LbqNzjeL6O

— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) August 19, 2019

On August 17, The Lancet published an editorial titled, “Fear and uncertainty around Kashmir’s future” claiming that prolonged exposure to violence in the region had resulted in a “formidable mental health crisis”.

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in its press release said: “While giving credence to your freedom of the press, AAPI is very troubled that your entire editorial is founded on a putative study by Medecins Sans Frontiers.

“Contrary to the accepted scientific standards of ‘The Lancet’, you did not provide the reference to the study by Medecins Sans Frontiers. In the absence of such supporting citation, we have no choice other than believing that your statements on the mental health issues in Kashmir are unfounded and not scientifically valid.”

The American Association questioned The Lancet why it was silent at the time of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley during militancy “between 1985 and 1995”

“The lives of Kashmiri Pandits are also equally precious,” it said.

“Apart from the Kashmiri Pandits, there are a number of other people around the world, who deserve the attention of The Lancet, perhaps more than the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

By Sowmya Sangam