| 27 June 2023
In a recent development, India's Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has strongly denounced comments made by former US President Barack Obama, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to safeguard the rights of minority Muslims in India. Sitharaman accused Obama of hypocrisy and questioned the credibility of his statements.
During Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the United States last week, Barack Obama expressed his concerns over the protection of the Muslim minority in a predominantly Hindu India in an interview with CNN. He emphasized the importance of addressing this issue during Modi's meeting with US President Joe Biden, suggesting that without adequate protection, India could face social unrest.
In response to Obama's remarks, Finance Minister Sitharaman expressed her shock and disapproval, highlighting the timing of the comments, as Modi was visiting the US to strengthen bilateral ties. Sitharaman also pointed out Obama's role as the President of the United States, where military actions were taken in Muslim-majority countries during his tenure.
"He was commenting on Indian Muslims...having bombed Muslim-majority countries from Syria to Yemen...during his presidency," Sitharaman stated at a press conference on Sunday. "Why would anyone listen to any allegations from such people?"
The US Department of State has previously raised concerns about the treatment of Muslims and other religious minorities in India under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Modi. On the other hand, the Indian government has consistently maintained that it upholds equality for all citizens, regardless of religion, and treats everyone fairly.
During their meeting at the White House, President Biden revealed that he had discussed human rights and democratic values with Prime Minister Modi. In response to Obama's remarks, Modi categorically denied any discrimination against minorities under his government, asserting that democracy is deeply ingrained in Indian society and that his administration has upheld the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
"We have proved democracy can deliver. When I say deliver, regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender – there is absolutely no space for any discrimination [in my government]," Modi stated during a press conference at the White House. "Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy, and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept."
Critics of Modi's government have accused him and the BJP of passing anti-Muslim legislation and implementing policies that disproportionately affect the Muslim community. These include the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019, which was criticized by the United Nations human rights office as "fundamentally discriminatory" for excluding Muslim migrants. Additionally, the enactment of anti-conversion legislation has raised concerns about the protection of the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of belief.
As the debate surrounding the treatment of minorities in India continues, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to these differing perspectives. The exchange between Barack Obama, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Narendra Modi underscores the complexities surrounding issues of religious freedom, human rights, and democracy in the world's largest democracy.
Comments