Indian Prime Minister Modi Denies Discrimination against Minorities during Press Conference

| 23 June 2023

In a highly anticipated joint press conference at the White House, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood alongside United States President Joe Biden to address a range of issues, including human rights and religious freedom in India. As human rights advocates and some US legislators question the decision to grant Modi a state visit, the Indian leader vehemently denied accusations of discrimination against minorities under his government.

During the press conference, a US reporter asked Modi about the steps he was willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in India, as well as upholding free speech. Modi, known as a Hindu nationalist leader, responded assertively, stating that there was no need for improvement in these areas. He highlighted the inclusive nature of India's constitution and government, claiming that democracy had proven its ability to eliminate discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, and gender.

"Our constitution and our government and 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 asserted, projecting confidence in his administration's commitment to equality.

Modi, who rarely engages with journalists, expressed his deep belief in the principles of democracy, asserting that it runs in the veins of the Indian people. He emphasized that India's ancestors had articulated the concept of democracy and that it remained a fundamental aspect of the nation's identity.

However, critics argue that Modi's tenure as both the chief minister of Gujarat and India's prime minister has witnessed a decline in political, religious, and press freedoms. As the chief minister, Modi was previously banned from entering the United States due to his alleged involvement in the religious riots that occurred in Gujarat in 2002, resulting in the deaths of predominantly Muslim individuals.

Since assuming office as India's prime minister in 2014, Modi has faced accusations of passing anti-Muslim legislation and implementing policies that discriminate against religious minorities. These actions include the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act passed in 2019, which the United Nations human rights office described as "fundamentally discriminatory" for excluding Muslim migrants. The revocation of the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir, the country's only Muslim-majority region, has also drawn criticism.

Moreover, critics have pointed to anti-conversion legislation that infringes on the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief. Reports of demolitions of properties owned by Muslims under the pretext of removing illegal constructions and the ban on wearing the hijab in Karnataka's classrooms during the rule of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have further fueled concerns. Additionally, India's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has declined significantly, dropping to 161st place this year, and the country has topped the list for the highest number of internet shutdowns globally for five consecutive years.

The US Department of State, in its annual report on religious freedom, has also highlighted incidents of police and vigilante violence against minorities, as well as inflammatory statements by members of the BJP.

During the press conference, Modi dismissed some of the accusations against his government, asserting that he embraces religious pluralism. The Indian leader's response aligned with President Biden's emphasis on the importance of religious diversity. Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett, reporting from the White House, noted Modi's denial of the accusations and highlighted the contrasting viewpoints between the two leaders on the issue of religious minorities.

As human rights concerns continue to surround Modi's leadership, his visit to the United States has sparked debate among observers. Some applaud the engagement between the world's two largest democracies, while others question the optics of granting a state visit to a leader facing allegations of rights abuses. The joint press conference shed light on the differing perspectives on

India's treatment of minorities and the challenges that lie ahead in addressing these contentious issues.