| 26 June 2023
Former US President Barack Obama has come under fire from leaders of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his recent remarks on Muslims in the country. In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Obama expressed concerns about the potential consequences if the rights of minorities in India, particularly Muslims, were not protected. His comments were made during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States, which was marked by ceremonial events, a state dinner, and the signing of significant agreements.
During the interview, Amanpour raised the issue of "illiberal democrats" and asked how President Joe Biden should engage with leaders who fall under that category. Obama acknowledged the complexity of the situation and drew from his own experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relations with allies, even if their governments do not adhere to ideal democratic principles. He highlighted the need for the US president to address troubling trends, such as the protection of ethnic minorities, either publicly or privately. Obama specifically mentioned the protection of Muslim minority rights in India, stating that the failure to do so could potentially lead to India facing internal divisions.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a member of the BJP, expressed shock at Obama's comments, particularly because they were made while Modi was campaigning in the US. Sitharaman voiced India's desire for good relations with the US but criticized remarks about religious tolerance in India, pointing out that the US had conducted military operations in Muslim-majority countries under Obama's presidency. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh echoed her sentiments, emphasizing India's secular character and rejecting any claims of discrimination based on religion.
Obama's remarks on India's treatment of minorities come amidst ongoing criticism of the BJP-led government's handling of communal tensions and allegations of insufficient protection for religious minorities. During Modi's visit to the US, 75 Democrats penned a letter to President Biden urging him to address human rights concerns with the Indian Prime Minister. Some Democratic representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, even boycotted Modi's address to Congress. In response to a question about minority rights, Modi asserted that his government does not tolerate any form of discrimination.
While the Indian government's criticism of Obama's remarks stems from a desire to protect India's image, it has not gone unnoticed that a tweet by BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma added fuel to the controversy. Sarma's tweet made reference to "Hussain Obama," alluding to Obama's middle name, which some viewed as a veiled threat against India's Muslim population. Sarma stood by his tweet despite the backlash, further intensifying the debate.
The reactions from Indian leaders and the controversy surrounding Sarma's tweet illustrate the sensitivity of the issue of minority rights in India and the political dynamics surrounding it. As India continues to grapple with the challenge of ensuring religious harmony and protecting the rights of its diverse population, debates on the topic are likely to persist, both domestically and internationally.
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