Indian-American Muslims
Protest against Modi’s Visit
The Association of Indian Muslims of America
has protested against the proposed visit of Chief Minister
Modi to the US. In a message, the Association has stated:
“We, a non-profit, non-political organization of Indian
Americans, find it very regrettable that the Asian American
Hotel Owners Association, an organization of Indian-American
hotel owners in US, has invited Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister
of Gujarat state in India, as chief guest to their convention
in Ft Lauderdale, FL, on March 24-26, 2005.
“Indian mainstream media, major Indian human rights
organizations, and many social service organizations in India
have repeatedly stated that in the last six years since Mr.
Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, as head of the
BJP party in Gujarat state, he has abused the machinery of
the state government including police, to unleash a reign
of extraordinary hatred, harassment and horrible violence
on the religious and ethnic minorities, namely Muslims, Christians
and tribal people in Gujarat State. Many churches and mosques
have been destroyed and many Muslim and Christian religious
leaders have been killed.
“In February-March 2002 Mr. Modi’s government
participated in a horrible organized violence that resulted
in the death of over 2000 Muslim civilians. Instead of bringing
the said marauders to justice, Mr. Modi has abused the government
machinery to shield the criminals, and has harassed those
government officials and social activists who have tried to
help the victims.
“In the name of simple humanity and decency we appeal
to all civilized people to demand that the US Government not
allow Mr. Modi to visit US. We also request all to approach
the US President and the members of US Congress, to request
the Government of India to put Mr. Modi on trial, and make
him accountable for engineering the large scale violations
of human rights of religious and ethnic minorities in the
State of Gujarat, India.”
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