Photo: Pieter Friedrich
- As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in the United States on June 20, a chorus of voices under the trending hashtag #ModiNotWelcome underscores the growing protests against his visit.
- Demonstrators are drawing attention to India’s dismal human rights track record and accusing Modi of being responsible for genocides and authoritarian rule, leading to comparisons with historical dictators.
The Protests: #ModiNotWelcome
While some Indian Americans may be supportive of Modi, many others, including prominent leaders and human rights organizations, express grave concerns about India’s treatment of religious minorities, oppressed castes, dissidents, journalists, and marginalized groups. Posters with slogans such as ‘Modi the Risen Hitler in The East’, ‘Biden stops enabling Modi’s Fascism’, ‘Why PM Modi Silent?’ and ‘We Want Peace in Manipur’. The protests aim to shed light on these issues, challenging the Western leaders who sidestep Modi’s human rights record for the sake of strategic partnerships and countering China’s influence.
Photo: Protests in NYC against Modi’s silence on communal riots in Manipur
President Joe Biden and several Western leaders harbor significant concerns regarding India’s treatment of religious minorities, including Muslims, oppressed castes, and journalists. However, these politicians have opted to publicly sidestep Indian Prime Minister Modi and his BJP’s troubling human rights record. Their approach is driven by the desire to strengthen the strategic relationship with India, to counter China’s growing influence. As a testament to this diplomatic approach, the White House has scheduled a dinner with Modi, reflecting the prioritization of geopolitical considerations over human rights concerns.
However, Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar has refused to attend Modi’s speech saying:
Two-Faced Reaction from Elon Musk
Elon Musk expresses his enthusiasm for the future of India, citing Modi’s dedication to the country and efforts to drive investments. However, during his visit, when questioned about the Indian government’s past pressure on Twitter, Musk asserts that Twitter has no option but to comply with local governments. He warns that failure to comply could result in the platform being shut down. Musk goes on to emphasize his commitment to ensuring the utmost freedom of speech on Twitter. This statement overlooks the fact that Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, had previously criticized the Modi government for its stance against the platform’s concept of free speech.
Is Modi’s India Really on Top?
With each foreign trip undertaken by the Prime Minister of India, there is a concerted effort by RSS and Hindutva supporters to portray it as an opportunity to enhance India’s global standing and transform it into a world leader. BJP consistently seeks votes by proclaiming that India has become a ‘Vishwaguru’ (world leader) under Modi’s leadership. However, can BJP supporters reconcile these claims with the following rankings of India under Modi’s tenure:
- India’s Happiness Index – Ranked 126th out of 137 nations.
- India’s Press Freedom Index – Ranked 161st out of 180 nations.
- India’s Global Peace Index – Ranked 135th out of 163 nations.
Surprisingly, Modi’s cabinet members have dismissed these indicators, questioning the credibility of the rankings by stating, “I don’t know how these guys make up those indexes.”
Ironically, despite professing to be a democratic leader, Modi has not conducted a single press conference during his nine-year tenure as Prime Minister of India. This raises questions about the transparency and accountability of his leadership.
Before his nine-year tenure as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi faced a significant setback when he was denied a visa by the United States. The visa denial was based on allegations of “severe violations of religious freedom,” effectively imposing a ban on his entry into the country for nearly a decade. However, despite this initial setback, Modi’s political fortunes took a dramatic turn, eventually leading him to become the Prime Minister of India. His rise to power and subsequent international engagements reflect a remarkable transformation from being shunned by the United States to attending a lavish dinner in the White House.
Modi’s Governance: Challenging the Notion of Democracy
In the face of ongoing protests and the trending #ModiNotWelcome movement, the very essence of democracy in India is being questioned. A quote from a US Army training manual in 1932 defines democracy as a government derived from the will of the masses, emphasizing the importance of deliberation and restraint in decision-making.
However, critics argue that under Modi’s leadership, India’s democracy has taken a different turn, resembling what they call a “mobocracy disguised as a democracy.” They highlight concerns about the erosion of human rights and lack of accountability within the government.
As the visit unfolds, it is evident that the issues of human rights, accountability, and democratic principles are at the forefront, shaping the discourse surrounding Modi’s visit to the United States.
