US lawmakers cite Muslim persecution to boycott Modi's Congress address
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Washington: Raising concerns over the mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly the human rights abuses targeting Muslims by the Hindu nationalist groups, several US lawmakers and Muslim leaders have boycotted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to Congress.
Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, and Kweisi Mfume are among those who refuse to participate in the joint session, denouncing the violence and repression perpetrated under Modi's right-wing nationalist government.
The lawmakers released a joint statement, condemning Modi's extensive record of human rights abuses and his complicity in the 2002 Gujarat riots that claimed over 1,000 lives. They accused his government of openly targeting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Dalits, enabling Hindu nationalist violence, undermining democracy, suppressing media and religious minorities, and resorting to authoritarian tactics like internet shutdowns and censorship.
The Center on Islamic Relations (Cair), the largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization in the US, has also welcomed the boycott. Cair's research and advocacy director, Corey Saylor, applauded the elected officials for prioritizing religious freedom over political expediency, urging others to join their leadership and stand against repression.
Modi's state visit to the US is marred by his previous denial of a visa in 2005 due to his violent persecution of minority faiths. Critics point to the recent escalation of anti-Muslim policies and violence both in India and in Indian communities abroad under Modi's leadership.
Representative Tlaib, one of the three Muslim members in the House, expressed her dismay at providing Modi with a platform in the nation's capital, citing his history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting of religious minorities, and censorship of journalists. A letter signed by 75 Democrats outlined the human rights violations under Modi and urged President Biden to address these concerns during their meeting.
Modi's visit to the US is viewed as an effort by both countries to strengthen ties and reduce India's reliance on Russia for military arms amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
It is speculated that this visit also serves as an opportunity for Modi to restore his image following several global "flawed democracy" ratings. The decision of US lawmakers and Muslim leaders to boycott Modi's address reflects a growing international scrutiny of India's human rights record.