Washington: Former Vice President Hamid Ansari and four members of the US parliament have expressed concern over the situation of human rights today in India.
They spoke at a virtual panel discussion organized by the Indonesian American Muslim Council on Wednesday.
India has rejected criticism by foreign governments and human rights groups on charges that civil liberties have eroded in the country.
“When the Indian government continues to target minority religious practices, it creates an atmosphere where discrimination and violence can be rooted.
In the past few years, we have seen uptick in online hatred speeches and hatred actions, including burnt mosques, burning churches, , and communal violence, “said Democratic Senator Ed Mark, who had history of taking anti-India standing, including opposing the landmark of Indian-US civil nuclear deals during the Manmohan Singh regime.
Participating in panel discussions from India, former Vice President Ansari expressed his concern for the trend of Hindu nationalism.
“In recent years, we have experienced the emergence of trends and practices that refute the established principles of nationalism and direct the practice of new culture and imaginary nationalism …
he wants to distinguish residents for their beliefs, giving ventolerance to intolerance, insinuating others, and Promote anxiety and insecurity, “he thought.
Three other Congress members who spoke during the panel discussion – Jim McGovern, Andy Levin and Jamie Raskin – traditionally taken anti-India standing apart from the government in New Delhi.
“There are many problems with the issue of religious authoritarianism and discrimination that occur in India,” Raskin said.
“So we want to make sure that India remains in the route of respecting religious freedom, freedom, pluralism, tolerance, and dissent to everyone,” he added.
“Unfortunately, today, the world’s largest democracy sees a setback, human rights under religious attacks and nationalism.
Since 2014, India has fallen from 27 to 53 in the democratic index.
And Freedom House has lowered mostly to most,” Levin said.
McGovern, the chairman of the strong human rights commission Tom Lantos from the US House of Representatives, registered several warning signs that showed “worrying setbacks” in human rights, according to media releases issued by the Indonesian American Muslim Council.
The Indian government has confirmed that India has an established democratic practice and strong institutions to protect all rights.
The government has emphasized that the Indian Constitution provides adequate protection under various laws to ensure human rights protection.