<
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/05/modi-supporters-hate-speech-belies-claims-indian-democracy-during-us-visit>
"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States
included yoga at the United Nations, an address to the U.S. Congress that
promised strides in the bilateral partnership, and a lavish state dinner at the
White House with 400 guests. President Joe Biden spoke of the “unlimited
potential” of ties between India and the United States.
What might have been a moment of pride for India, however, was marred by
comments made by his ministers and party leaders that only reinforce the
lamentable record of the Modi government’s abusive and discriminatory policies
at home. A litany of reports, including many by the U.S. government itself,
document intensifying attacks, discrimination, and persecution of groups
targeted due to their religion, caste, ethnicity and public opinion.
Modi, in his speeches, took pains to preempt or counteract criticisms. He
hailed India’s diversity and democratic standards. But actions and statements
by members and supporters of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contradicted
those claims with outraged condemnation of Americans — activists, lawmakers,
journalists, even former President Barack Obama — who had called for human
rights protections in India. The bigotry and intolerance reflected in the
backlash highlight a pattern with the BJP that threatens to undermine India’s
reputation as the world’s largest democracy.
On the eve of the state visit, U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to President Biden
about democratic and human rights backsliding under Modi’s leadership, as did
more than 50 civil society groups, mostly from the Indian-American diaspora.
Trucks in New York City carried billboard screens about human rights failures
tagging Modi as the “#CrimeMinisterOfIndia.” The editorial boards of the
New
York Times and
Washington Post encouraged the U.S. government to distinguish
India’s long democratic tradition from the abusive actions of the current
government."
Via David.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
