Why some Democrats plan to boycott Modi's address to Congress
What's the story
While relentless preparations are underway for the joint session address of the United States (US) Senate and House by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, numerous members of the US Democratic Party have announced their decision to boycott the event. Notably, these US lawmakers have flagged the gross human rights violations in India as the main reason for this move.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The move comes after several human rights groups flagged their concern about how geopolitics would dominate human rights issues amid Washington's efforts to strengthen relations with New Delhi. Earlier, as many as 75 Democrat senators and members of the House of Representatives wrote to US President Joe Biden, asking him to address human rights concerns with PM Modi.
Details
Will not attend Modi's speech: Ilhan Omar
Among those boycotting the address are Ilhan Omar, the first African refugee to become a member of Congress, who represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, "Prime Minister Modi's government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity." "I will NOT be attending Modi's speech," added Omar.
Twitter Post
Check out Omar's tweet
Prime Minister Modi’s government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 20, 2023
I will NOT be attending Modi’s speech.
More details
Shameful that Modi has been given a platform: Rashida Tlaib
Meanwhile, fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib also expressed her disapproval of Modi getting a platform in Washington DC. "It's shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nation's capital—his long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable," she said. "I will be boycotting Modi's joint address to Congress," the Congresswoman added.
Twitter Post
Twitter post by Tlaib on Modi
It’s shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nation’s capital—his long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable.
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) June 20, 2023
I will be boycotting Modi’s joint address to Congress.
Know more
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to boycott Modi's address
Democratic party leader and activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also announced she is skipping Modi's speech, stating that a joint address is not for those who have "deeply troubling human rights records." "I encourage my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance, and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same," the Democrat tweeted on Wednesday.
More information
Ocasio-Cortez flags India's Press Freedom Index ranking
In her statement, Ocasio-Cortez stressed that PM Modi was earlier banned from entering America due to "his violations of religious freedom, including his complicity in an anti-Muslim riot that left over 1,000 dead." "India currently ranks 161 out of 180 in the Press Freedom Index - in part due to Modi's raids on BBC India's offices and his court challenges against a...documentary," she added.
Twitter Post
You can read Ocasio-Cortez's full statement here
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will boycott Prime Minister Modi's joint address to Congress. pic.twitter.com/DICpt7StvF
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) June 21, 2023
Further details
75 politicians write to Biden regarding Modi, human rights issues
Previously on Tuesday, 18 US Senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives—all from the ruling Democratic Party—wrote a letter to Biden. They urged him to relay to PM Modi concerns about growing religious intolerance, limited political space, restrictions on press freedom, and the loss of human rights in India.
More information
Details on Modi and Biden's meeting at Oval Office today
PM Modi and Biden are scheduled to hold one-on-one talks in the White House's Oval Office on Thursday before hosting high-level talks to boost further the growing Indo-US strategic ties in critical sectors like defense and space. Modi has claimed that his US visit and talks with Biden are a massive "opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership."