WASHINGTON: Right when Indian prime minister was in the meeting with President Obama on Tuesday, several members of the US House of representatives voiced concern against atrocities and human rights violations in India.
A bipartisan group of as many as 18 members of the House of Representatives urged the Speaker to prioritise religious freedom in India during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We respectfully request that during your meetings with the prime minister, the ‘shared value’ of the fundamental right of religious freedom will be a priority in your conversation. Religious minority communities – including Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs – have endured ongoing violence and harassment for decades in India, and continue to live in a climate where known perpetrators commit violence with impunity,” the Members of Congress wrote in a letter to the Speaker on Tuesday.
The members signed the letter led by representatives Betty McCollum and Trent Franks saying it was in the best interest of the United States and India to "reaffirm religious freedom as a shared value in this growing partnership, and ensure that conversation concerning justice and accountability for such horrific acts of violence continues."
The lawmakers also cited several specific examples of violent attacks that have killed or displaced religious minorities. Human rights groups in India have investigated and traced these attacks to specific groups, but a current climate of impunity exists in India around such attacks and many victims never receive justice.
“The important relationship between India and the United States is based on our shared democratic values. Religious minorities in India deserve the freedom to live out their faith without fear,” Representative McCollum said. “As we celebrate the strong bilateral partnership between India and the United States, we must continue to prioritise religious freedom for all Indians.”
Indian prime minister is on an official visit to the US and addressed the Congress on the invitation of Speaker Paul Ryan on Wednesday.
Other House members also arranged a special hearing under the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Congressman Jim McGovern asked the administration to push Indian prime minster to respect his country's constitution.
"State level 'anti-conversion' laws allow government officials to decide whether conversion from Hinduism are legal - but choosing a religion is a private act that should not be subject to government regulations. Last March, the Indian government failed to issue visas for a delegation from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. None of this bode well," the Congressman said in his remarks. He also pointed out the ongoing caste discrimination in India.