Gurpreet Singh: Arrival of unwanted guest Narendra Modi reveals America's real priorities

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      The White House’s invitation to the newly elected Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, reflects very badly on the U.S. government's claim to be the leader in human rights.

      Modi, who arrived in America today, was previously denied a visa by U.S. authorities for his government’s complicity in the 2002 anti-Muslim pogrom in the Indian state of Gujarat.

      Modi was chief minister (equivalent of the premier) of Gujarat back then and many human-rights groups have found that his government was involved in the massacre. The mass murder of Muslims followed the burning of a train that left over 50 Hindu pilgrims dead. That incident was blamed on the Muslim fundamentalists.

      The Modi government is accused of giving free hand to Hindu mobs to target Muslims in retaliation. In 2005, the U.S. government was adamant about not allowing him to visit America, but with his recent election as the head of India, the Obama administration has welcomed him with open arms.

      Obviously, this has to do more with the growing economy of India, which has attracted U.S. investors. However, the change of heart only demonstrates the U.S.’s lack of commitment when it comes to protecting human rights.

      Although Modi has not been convicted of any crimes in connection with the attacks, his Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party has not been completely absolved of allegations of engineering the massacre at the behest of the Modi government. The investigations continue.

      Though one can understand that Modi, being the prime minister, cannot be stopped from visiting the U.S., the White House’s invitation has certainly raised many valid questions.

      A group named Sikhs for Justice spearheaded a campaign to force the White House to cancel his visit. This group had earlier petitioned to recognize the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre as genocide. Thirty years ago, Sikhs were targeted across India following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

      Goons led by her so-called secular Congress party leaders murdered Sikhs with the help of the police. A similar technique was followed against Muslims in 2002 in Gujurat.

      Apologists of the Indian establishment are describing Sikhs for Justice and others like them as “anti-India separatists”. Their political agenda can be best explained by them.

      One can always disagree with their demand for “sovereignty” to the “Sikh nation”, and nobody can deny the crimes against humanity committed by Sikh separatists in India.

      However, it’s hard to overlook the bloody episodes of 1984 and 2002 and the involvement of the government's machinery in these crimes. Rather, these state-sponsored crimes actually bred more violence and terrorism.

      State terrorism cannot be equated with the terrorism committed by a few individuals or groups who operate outside the legal and constitutional boundaries, anyway. Instead of hitting back at their critics and questioning their intentions, the Indian government should first look hard at itself because these incidents which were unacceptable for a country whose constitution is based on the principles of secularism and democracy.

      That the U.S. government has also ignored the wishes of human-rights groups is not surprising. Those who continue to trust that the U.S. and other western powers really care for human rights are naive. Both the U.S. and Canada were built on land stolen from indigenous peoples. These nation states have a long history of systemic racism against First Nations and people of colour.

      Needless to say, the U.S. is involved in many war crimes. To think that the U.S. can be relied upon to stand up against political figures such as Modi is laughable.

      Having said that, the U.S. government owes an explanation to the world and its citizens for its justification behind inviting Modi to the White House. To set the record straight, U.S. government officials should honestly acknowledge that for them, business interests are supreme over human rights.

      Comments

      14 Comments

      T-bone Stallone

      Sep 27, 2014 at 12:17pm

      This is a little bit of questionable history here. Not to mention some pretty twisted rhetoric. It seems to me that the write lacks a deeper understanding of the complexities of Indian politics and culture and makes up for that with some pretty broad statements. To me this article reads more like a left-wing version of a "you are with us or with the terrorists" type of rant.

      Don't Print

      Sep 27, 2014 at 6:39pm

      Unlike those bloody Sony soap operas...

      During the Mars launch, he actually spoke some English, one of the national languages, but highly unusual for him. Shortly thereafter he referenced Rabindranath Tagore.
      He has some things to answer for, especially concerning India’s domestic politics.
      Some of us have family too. And it’s clearly evident that Mr. Modi understands that.
      Some Western politicians should take note.

      Roger

      Sep 27, 2014 at 7:58pm

      Where were this hypocrite when Sikhs were hauling Hindu women and children off trains
      raping and murdering them, for their so called state of Khilistan, just because they were Hindus.
      Where were you Gurpreet Singh? you believe you can lie, and get away, because you are in the US and no one will remember these actions committed by your Sikh community and fully supported by Sikh priest Etc.
      So think before you spout your absolute nonsense against Mr.Modi, he is a decent and honorable man, unlike you.No one will believe what your are saying here except,of course,your fellow band of hateful extremist.

      Desi

      Sep 27, 2014 at 10:42pm

      The author is entitled to his views but not to facts. there are no investigations pending. there wasnt any evidence to even charge him forget convict him.

      Modi was chosen the leader of the largest democracy in the world. you may or maynot like him but the PM of India represents 1/6th of humanity on the world stage and it doesnt make sense to ignore him.

      ram sengupta

      Sep 28, 2014 at 12:58am

      What a moronic, shallow article/

      Duncan S

      Sep 28, 2014 at 3:55am

      This writer should not forget what his community did to innocent people - Air India bombing and other atrocious act against Hindus in India. These extremist sikhs are very much comparable to the muslim terrorists. He fails to mention of the murdering of Hindu pilgrims men, women and children in a train carrying them from Ayodhya the sacred place of Hindus and this is what triggered the riots against muslims. People living in glass houses should not throw stones. This writer is completely out of whack! Mr Modi has done a lot of good in Gujarat by promoting business which has benefited all communities!

      Rakesh Bhatt

      Sep 28, 2014 at 12:10pm

      WTF does everyone talk that Modi is great.. what he did good for Gujarat... India has many other states and Gujarat is but just 1 of them. Modi does not deserve this kind of glory before even delivering the goods. Once all this PR and propaganda is over, only time will tell what he is. Until then he is no different than many political leaders in India. And that my friend is the REAL truth... stop the brainless propaganda.....

      modi raw agent

      Sep 28, 2014 at 1:56pm

      Gurpreet Singh hit a real good point, the previous administration was aware of his hand. Modi and his ilk are the reason why the situation is what is in india.

      To the person insulting Sikhs, what happened to them was injustice against humanity in 1984.

      signed

      human being from india

      Congressie

      Sep 28, 2014 at 3:07pm

      We congressie killed 30,000 Sikhs in 1984 foir the Sikhs killed our Dear LEader Rajeeve Gandhi.

      Don't you dare hurt us liberal left congressies