April 29, 2020
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Monday released it’s 2020 Annual Report, documenting significant developments during 2019, including remarkable progress in Sudan and a sharp downward turn in India.
It has made recommendations to enhance the U.S. Government’s promotion of religious freedom abroad in 2020, and calls for listing India among a group of countries of particular concern for religious freedom violations.
Every Indian and every Indian-American wants the best for India. A cohesive India where no Indian lives in fear of the other.
As Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom, Hon Sam Brownback and the Department of State has held seminars linking religious freedom with the prosperity of nations. Where there is freedom, people feel relaxed and add to the GDP. I held a seminar on the topic as well.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act in #India “potentially exposes millions of Muslims to detention, deportation, and statelessness when the government completes its planned nationwide National Register of Citizens” USCIRF Vice Chair @nadinemaenza #USCIRFAnnualReport2020
— USCIRF (@USCIRF) April 28, 2020
Who is responsible for earning such a shabby title? Of course, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some Indian-American organizations.
I wrote to a leading Indian-American organization to take part in a petition urging India to give visas to the commissioners of the United States Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) – at least three times to prevent India from getting the label of “a country of particular concern.”
The pro-Hindutva (not Hinduism) bodies believed that if they can throw money, parties, influence, and favors at the Congress, India will not get the title.
Through the back channels a leading Indian-American organization had opposed holding meetings on Capitol Hill about India’s religious freedom issues. Three sessions had to be canceled, including one by the Center for Pluralism during the Ministerial program by the State Department.
This is the first time since 2004 that USCIRF recommends #India as a Country of Particular Concern #USCIRFAnnualReport2020
— USCIRF (@USCIRF) April 28, 2020
I kept arguing my point. Let the United States Commission find the facts, if India’s government is clean, they will earn a clean chit, if not they will be labeled as “Country of Particular Concern” and have to work hard to restore India’s good name.
Meanwhile, Modi’s policies continue to make life difficult for Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. Ultimately, every Indian will pay the price, including the Bhakts. Modi’s policies will bring disaster to India, what India has gained in the last 30 years will be lost – we still have the time to correct the course.
I am concerned, what kind of civilization we are looking forward to in India. Will it be a culture of sadistic men acting like animals, killing fellow Indians, burning their homes, and torching their businesses with no consequence?
We the people, Indians of all hues have to live together. Let’s live without tension and fear of each other. Wake up and speak up for our future.We cannot let them make India a Hindutva Taliban nation. We all will be losers if we don’t correct the course now and grant religious freedom and other democratic liberties to our people.
No Comment
