Should Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi Be Allowed a U.S. Visa?

[mota bhai 2,675]

Should Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi Be Allowed a U.S. Visa?

by Shikha Dalmia Jul 31, 2013

Sixty-five members of the Indian Parliament ... released a letter they wrote to President Barack Obama urging him to maintain America’s eight-year-old visa ban on Modi. The U.S., along with England and other Western countries, imposed the ban after human-rights groups implicated Modi in the 2002 massacre of Muslims in his state.

...

That year, Hindu mobs—some led by figures from Modi’s own party, one of whom was eventually convicted—went on a revenge spree against Muslims for burning a train with Hindu pilgrims. They razed Muslim homes, raped Muslim women, and killed Muslim men.

However, when asked by Reuters a few weeks ago if he felt any remorse over the grisly events that unfolded on his watch, his response was: If your driver runs over a “kutte ka baccha”—a crude term for a puppy—you would obviously feel regret; it was a statement that simultaneously dodged responsibility and dehumanized Muslims.

But none of this has fazed Modi’s solid fan base in the majority Hindu population that has made him the opposition BJP’s (Bharatiya Janata Party) standard-bearer in next year’s elections for prime minister.

...

The latest scandal dogging Modi involves the killing of a young Muslim woman with alleged links to Pakistani terrorists in a staged encounter with the Gujarati police. Some of the accused cops have alleged that Modi knew and gave the encounter his blessing.

But the main reason Modi attracts worshipful Hindu throngs is his open contempt for Congress’ ideology of secularism that, in his view, has balkanized the country by extending special favors to Muslims and other minorities to win their votes. That is not a baseless accusation. But what is Modi’s solution? More balkanization. He proudly calls himself not just a nationalist but a Hindu nationalist. His insult-of-choice for Congress is that it wears a “burqa of secularism”—a thinly veiled reminder to Hindus that Modi represents their—not Muslim—interests.

...

The Hindu nationalist project involves not just changing the perception of Hinduism as a weak religion at home but abroad as well. India’s economic success has given Hindus—especially the urban nouveau riche—a resurgent pride in their religion after enduring decades of digs about India’s “Hindu rate of growth.” They want Hinduism to be seen as the solution to the centuries of mess created by Muslim and British “foreign” rule. They want the world to regard India’s success as synonymous with Hinduism.

...

All of this puts the United States in a difficult predicament. Should Modi become the elected prime minister of India next year, it would be awkward for the head of the world’s most populous democracy—and an American ally—not to be able to travel to America. At that point, an ongoing ban will become a slap in the face not just of Modi and his backers, but of India.

However, removing the ban right now will whitewash his sins and make him more electable.

...

There are no good options but, all things considered, America should err on the side of not enhancing Modi’s appeal right now—hoping that the core decency of the Indian people keeps this polarizing, saffron-robed figure (who won’t wear green because it is the color of Islam) out of New Delhi next year.

[Darnell 8,479]

Should Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi Be Allowed a U.S. Visa?

No. Not at all. If'n he wants to travel, he should go to The Maldives or South Africa. Lots of his people there to protect him against the Muslims.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Maldives? That's a Muslim country.

Although I agree with you on not giving him a visa. He is responsible for the murder and rape of many Muslims. He should not get a visa to come here, ever.

If the people of India elect him, that's their problem.

[Harsh_77 718]

Maldives? That's a Muslim country.

Although I agree with you on not giving him a visa. He is responsible for the murder and rape of many Muslims. He should not get a visa to come here, ever.

If the people of India elect him, that's their problem.

He is held responsible for attack on muslims which was retaliation but who is responsible for the attack on train and burning the passengers alive?

[mota bhai 2,675]

He is held responsible for attack on muslims which was retaliation but who is responsible for the attack on train and burning the passengers alive?

The people who did it are. Not everyone who shares their faith.

Narendra Modi, and apparently you, do not understand that.