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US revokes visa of Narendra Modi
March 19, 2005 | 1 Comment
The US has revoked the visa of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his role in the violation of religious freedom.
The Indian government and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) strongly criticized this move, with the Indian government requesting a review of the decision. The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Navtej Sarna, expressed the government’s disapproval of the action.
“The action on the part of the US embassy is uncalled for and displays lack of courtesy and sensitivity towards a constitutionally-elected chief minister.”
Narendra Modi’s visa was revoked because of his role in the 2002 Gujarat pogroms and persecution of religious minorities.
“Our government should speak with one voice in condemning these policies and the actions of the Modi administration that has led to the death, torture and imprisonment of thousands in Gujarat,” Mr Pitts said.
The US revoked Mr Modi’s ‘tourist/business’ visa under a law that makes “any government official who was responsible for or directly carried out at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom, ineligible for a visa”.
Modi’s complicity in the violence of the 2002 Gujarat pogroms has elicited protest from human rights groups and others; in February, ENSAAF submitted a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calling for the denial of Modi’s visa.
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