Thursday September 12, 2024
Indian Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (left) and U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (right) during a meeting in Washington, D.C., where Gandhi met with several U.S. lawmakers. The meeting, which included discussions on democracy and human rights, has sparked criticism from the BJP in India, particularly over Omar’s stance on Kashmir and religious freedoms.
Minneapolis, MN (HOL) — Indian Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) during his visit to Washington has drawn sweeping condemnations in India, particularly from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has accused Gandhi of aligning with individuals perceived to be "anti-India," citing Omar's outspoken criticism of India's policies on Kashmir, religious intolerance, and human rights abuses.
Omar, a Somali-American lawmaker representing Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, is a prominent advocate for international human rights and minority issues. Her objection to the Indian government's handling of Kashmir and her 2022 visit to Pakistan-administered Kashmir have made her a controversial figure in Indian political discourse. Omar has also introduced resolutions in the U.S. Congress condemning alleged human rights abuses in India, further inflaming tensions between the two countries.
The BJP's criticism was swift. Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi admonished Gandhi for what he described as "dangerous" associations. "Rahul Gandhi's decision to meet Ilhan Omar reflects his disregard for national interests. He is engaging with individuals who have a track record of anti-India rhetoric," Trivedi said at a press conference. The meeting has become a focal point in the BJP's broader narrative that Gandhi, as leader of the opposition, is undermining India's sovereignty on the global stage.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed these sentiments, questioning Gandhi's priorities. "Why is Rahul Gandhi meeting with figures who consistently speak against India? In his opposition to the BJP, has he forgotten his responsibility to the nation?"
Omar's visit to the area of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan and her meetings with Pakistani leaders— including a freshly ousted Imran Khan, was condemned by the Indian government as an infringement on its territorial integrity. Her decision to boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the U.S. Congress in 2023 also drew criticism from Indian officials, who accused her of targeting the country's religious policies.
Omar has been a vocal critic of India's abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status, and has spoken out against what she describes as increasing religious intolerance under the Modi government. Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been closely linked to Hindutva, an ideology that promotes the idea of India as a Hindu nation. Hindutva, which has deep roots in the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological parent, has been accused by critics of fostering exclusionary policies against religious minorities, particularly Muslims. Under Modi's leadership, India has seen a rise in Hindu nationalism, with the government passing laws and implementing policies that have been condemned by international human rights organizations for marginalizing non-Hindu communities. Omar has aligned herself with critics of the Modi administration and spoken out against what she describes as increasing religious intolerance in India.
Despite the BJP's sharp response, the Congress party has defended Gandhi's meeting with Omar, downplaying the controversy. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera emphasized that Omar was part of a larger U.S. delegation that met with Gandhi. "This is being blown out of proportion. Ilhan Omar is a sitting Congresswoman, and Rahul Gandhi's engagement with U.S. lawmakers is part of his effort to build international dialogue," Khera said. In addition to Omar, Gandhi met with several prominent U.S. legislators, including Indian-American lawmakers Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi.