Global Courant
WASHINGTON
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged US Congress leaders on Wednesday to cancel the June speech of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter to Congressional leaders, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Robert McCaw said Modi’s speech “sends the message that it is not a problem for the US Congress to suppress Christians, Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs and other faith minorities.”
These include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“Modi’s anti-democratic policies, such as stifling critical journalism, are also the opposite of what the US Congress should be seen celebrating. If the Joint Meeting does happen, we plan to call on Members to boycott it,” McCaw said.
The largest US Muslim advocacy group has demanded that the Modi government designate India as a Country of Special Concern over alleged human rights abuses against Christians, Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs and other faith minorities.
Meanwhile, CAIR has also urged the Biden administration to cancel the planned state dinner in Modi’s honor.
In a letter to the Indian prime minister in early June, McCarthy asked Modi to address Congress on June 22 and said, “You will have the opportunity to share your vision for the future of India and speak to the global challenges our countries are facing.”
Modi’s visit to Washington will be Biden’s first since taking office in January 2021. Biden has authorized only two more world leaders to visit: French President Emmanuel Macron in December and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April.
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