As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin his visit to US to meet President Joe Biden on June 21, US rights groups have reportedly planned protests over what they call India's deteriorating human rights record.
According to a report by Reuters, the Indian American Muslim Council, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace and Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition plan to gather near the White House on June 22 when Modi is due to meet President Joe Biden.
Two human rights groups - Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch -- will organise a screening in Washington of the controversial BBC documentary, 'India: The Modi Question'.
India responded sharply to the documentary as the Centre issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the two part documentary. On February 14, the Income Tax Department conducted a survey operation at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the BBC which went on for nearly four days.
Another event is planned in New York featuring a show titled "Howdy Democracy," a play on the name of the 2019 "Howdy Modi!" rally in Texas featuring the Indian prime minister and then-U.S. President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
Moreover, protesting groups have reportedly created flyers with messages such as "Modi Not Welcome" and "Save India from Hindu Supremacy."
In a letter to President Biden, Elaine Pearson, the director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, urged the White House to raise concerns about human rights in India during Modi's visit, both publicly and privately.
Whne White House announced that it would host PM Modi, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement, "The visit will strengthen our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space."
Asked about human rights concerns in India, Jean-Pierre defended the visit, telling reporters that Biden believes "this is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights," Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, top American lawmakers have issued a series of video messages welcoming Modi for his Official State Visit to the US next week and said they are eagerly looking forward to his address to the Joint Meeting of the Congress.
