US lawmaker: Congress has to exert pressure on the Indian government to alter course

An influential American lawmaker stated on Thursday that the US Congress must play a role in pressuring the Indian government to reassess policies and laws, particularly counterterrorism measures that are “inconsistent” with the obligations India has obtained by ratifying important human rights treaties.

India’s five-year political trajectory will be decided by multiphase general elections that begin on April 19. During a hearing on human rights in India, Congressman James McGovern, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running for a third term.

I belong to a group of individuals who believe that friends should be honest with one another. Furthermore, India is a friend, and the US really cares about India’s prosperity. However, if human rights violations are not addressed, there is a genuine chance that the tensions present in varied communities might turn into deadly wars and jeopardize India’s promising future, according to McGovern.

The recent communal violence in the state of Manipur between the ethnic Hindu and Christian groups is just one instance. According to him, Congress has a responsibility to press the Indian government to reassess policies and legislation, particularly counterterrorism measures that conflict with the commitments India has made by ratifying important human rights treaties.

India is a nation of special concern, according to Congressman Chris Smith, the committee’s co-chair. I would grade it a H because of my extreme worry about their outrageous behavior. Modi observes our actions and words, and they show no concern. That is the lesson that both his administration and he himself are trying to impart. Thus, I would urge you to go on,” he stated.

Also, I think that our credibility is increased and geopolitical worries are raised. What message does it send to the other nations on the list when we mention the countries on the CPC but leave out flagrant offenders like India? It’s also not helpful that they see us as hypocrites, Smith said.

The US government has acknowledged acts of transnational repression by the Government of India in Canada, which resulted in the killing of an activist, as well as efforts here in the US, Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA, told legislators.

The amount of oppression that human rights defenders face both inside and outside of India, she claimed, limits the amount of information that is available about human rights violations committed by the Indian government. This information should be taken into consideration when the US and other governments interact with the Modi administration and when the private sector makes investment decisions.

“I can present evidence of the government’s escalating attempts to weaponize and enshrine hatred and intolerance in the law.” Nash told the lawmakers that the recent implementation of the Citizenship by Asylum Act (CAA) and its discriminatory citizenship process, which could lead to the deprivation of citizenship for millions of people, are particularly concerning. He also mentioned the growing abuse of vague and overbroad laws by the government to suppress dissent and the rise in the use of hate speech by leaders against religious groups.

Though the situation is rapidly becoming worse, it would be incorrect to think that the US and other concerned nations are geopolitically prevented from acting. Instead, it is up to US politicians to react to these attempts. We urge the US government, including Congressmen and administration officials, to inform the Indian government that the US will not tolerate hate speech, legal action against civil society, or discrimination against religious and ethnic communities as India gets ready for elections,’ she said.

The BJP party is keen to show its supporters that they are keeping their pledges of racist ideology. We are aware that the days leading up to the election will be very risky. Additionally, Nash said, “We are aware that Prime Minister Modi will be especially receptive to messages from other governments, particularly from senior leaders.”

Waris Husain, Legal Advisor, American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, said that Congress should push President Obama harder to bring up these issues with Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi is eventually in a position to tell his party and administration to stop this abusive style of governing by pointing out their harmful laws and policies. He said, “President Biden and members of Congress must recognize the seriousness and extent of this situation.”

India would see Biden’s support for Modi and unwillingness to hold the administration accountable for the current state of affairs as an indication that the increasing behavior will not be held accountable, which is not possible. “Therefore, my final point would be that, in doing so, the US government is sending a terrible message that it cares more about Prime Minister Modi as a leader than it does about the people of India, who Modi was elected to serve,” Husain stated.