| Font Size |
“As Mr Modi continues to pursue a potential run for higher office, we believe a change in policy to his request for a visa will only embolden Modi and his government's efforts to obstruct further investigations and the tandem prosecution that have still to be finished to bring the perpetrators to justice,” as many as 25 members of the US House of Representatives wrote in a letter to Clinton.
Dated November 29, the letter addressed to Clinton was released to the press yesterday, by Republican Congressman Joe Pitts and Frank Wolf on the eve of their joint press conference at the Capitol Hill with family of the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
“India is a thriving democracy, and one that is aspiring to a high standard of leadership and progress. It is disturbing that certain parties in India are considering elevating Modi, despite his tie to these attacks. Allowing him to enter the United States will only serve to abdicate his responsibility for the 2002 human rights abuses,” the Congressmen said.
Among other prominent lawmakers who signed the letter include John Conyers, Trent Franks, James Moran, Michael Honda, Bill Pascrell, Barbara Lee, Edward Markey, Jim Jordan, Dan Burton, Michael Capuano and Dough Lamborn.
Observing that the Bush Administration “rightly denied” Modi a visa to enter the United States, the lawmakers said as he is currently seeking support for a possible bid for prime ministership, including meetings with leaders of foreign nations, “we expect” that he may again request entry into the United States.
“We respectfully request that the US government deny Mr Modi entry due to numerous reports of his involvement in horrific human rights violations in India,” the lawmakers said.
“As you may know, Mr Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat during the 2002 riots that ultimately resulted in the rape of countless women and children, the destruction of homes and businesses and the loss of 2,000 lives,” the Congressmen alleged.
“Non-governmental organizations have alleged that the state government in Gujarat, led by Chief Minister Modi, provided leadership and material support to the perpetrators of these horrific crimes. After their investigation of violence, Human Rights Watch stated that the 'attacks against Muslims (and other religious minorities) in Gujarat have been actively supported by state BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government officials and by the police',” the letter alleged.
Noting that in the past, the State Department has denied Modi a visa under the authority of the International Religious Freedom Act for his complicity in the riots, the lawmakers said the State Department has stated that the Gujarat government has not adequately pursued justice of the victims of the 2002 violence.
Future americans followed to Mr modi, Because he is the next PM nearly 20years
Mr Modi's complicity in the riots has been cleared by an able justice delivery system in India after a prolonged and thorough investigation and it is not fair on the part of US to try and harp on to findings from other parties. The US should also take to cognizance that the effectiveness of the investigation/judiciary has led to the conviction of one of the minister's in Mr Modi's cabinet. Considering the amount of effort, time and sincerity that has gone in to delivering justice for the riot victims, the international community should ignore the facts/findings of other reports which may be biased and may have ulterior objectives, given the motivation of indian political class...
A very honest and just recommendation indeed! Civilized society can't afford to entertain barbaric politicians among them. The V in Modi's context means NASH, Vipreet Budhdhee, Vandalism and Violence.
Modi has proven to be the best CM in India and does not give a shit to US visa. He does not talk about US politics, why US law makers are worried about him.
...for the human right violations by the United States in Iraq? Afghanistan? or even for the colonization (i can't think of a better word here) of Puerto Rico? The double standards in this world and especially in America are astounding.
NO SET BACK; WHO CARES !!
What US has to say about Bhopals Gas tragedy of year 1984 than where more than 29,000 died and 3,00,000 are still suffering ?? Anyways Mr. Modi has still not asked for VISA from US !!!!!!!!! Why US top post holder people are afraid ???????? Did they think Modi will blast Entire US like they did in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years back ? This is just childish approach of officials of US or they are blind folded and srounded by Indian Congress !!!!!!
Politicians in India need to work across party lines and similar denail should be in place for George W Bush and all his top officials. There is no way war in Iraq can be justified. Time has arrived where GoI needs to take a stand. P.S - This is in no way a support for what happened in Gujarat.
US is not heaven so restriction on entry will give you hell. Why we are giving so much importance to USA, we are also a super power. Editor has not mentioned the date when Modi has applied for VISA. Why USA has declared this just few days before the election? It is intriguing me.
we should deny visa to US administration officials(Clinton, Obama) since they have killed so many innocent lives in afganistan, iraq and syria.
Americans breach international laws at their own whims and fancies. Do not even think about them. Modi is good for Gujrat, Is good for India.
