This crucial meeting took place ahead of Congressman Khanna’s impending journey to India, which is strategically aimed at emphasizing and delving into critical priorities for the region. The coalition’s diverse perspectives provided a comprehensive understanding of various concerns within the Indian American community
A coalition of Indian American civil society organizations convened on August 7th to engage in a significant dialogue with Congressman Ro Khanna, a trailblazer as the first Indian American to lead the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
This crucial meeting took place ahead of Congressman Khanna’s impending journey to India, which is strategically aimed at emphasizing and delving into critical priorities for the region. The coalition’s diverse perspectives provided a comprehensive understanding of various concerns within the Indian American community, as reported by nriaffairs.com.
Representing the Indian American Muslim Council, Husnaa Vohra expressed deep apprehension regarding the threats posed to liberal democracy, pluralism, and human rights in India. Vohra stressed, “We, as a diverse coalition of Indian American organizations, are resolutely committed to safeguarding the essence of pluralism and democracy in India. We urge Congressman Khanna to address the ongoing instances of violence and human rights violations.”
A spokesperson from India Civil Watch India International underscored the significance of a united democratic alliance against totalitarianism. They called for Congressman Khanna to “reposition the foundation of the India-US relationship on the bedrock of democracy,” emphasizing that democracy must form the core of trade and military agreements between the two nations.
Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights, urged Congressman Khanna to embrace progressive Hindu values and lend unequivocal support to initiatives combating caste discrimination. She stated, “It is of paramount importance to counteract endeavors that attempt to distort the history of 1971 and ensure that the leadership of Bengalis remains central to any acknowledgment of the Bangladesh genocide.”
Ro Khanna expressed his dedication to protecting minority rights in India and announced his proud co-sponsorship of the Safeguard Act, which integrates the safeguarding and promotion of human rights as essential components in the export of arms and defense services to foreign countries. Congressman Khanna also committed to holding a public call with the coalition upon his return from India
Expressing concerns about extremist groups and ideologies associated with Congressman Khanna, Prachi Patankar, a board member at India Civil Watch International, appealed to the Congressman to distance himself from organizations that propagate hate and misinformation. Patankar emphasized, “We respectfully request you to take a clear step in the direction of pro-democracy and actively support federal measures to combat caste discrimination within the United States.”
In response, Congressman Ro Khanna reiterated his unwavering commitment to upholding democratic values and human rights, both within India and the United States. He acknowledged the concerns voiced by the coalition and passionately endorsed the necessity of nurturing a diverse and democratic India.
He expressed his dedication to protecting minority rights in India and announced his proud cosponsorship of the Safeguard Act, which integrates the safeguarding and promotion of human rights as essential components in the export of arms and defense services to foreign countries. Congressman Khanna also committed to holding a public call with the coalition upon his return from India.
The coalition articulated a set of policy recommendations for Congressman Khanna, including:
Advocating for Visa Bans: Urging for visa bans against individuals implicated in human rights violations, particularly in Manipur, Haryana, and Uttarakhand, to serve as a deterrent against communal violence.
Integrating Human Rights Considerations: Incorporating human rights considerations into the security analysis of the US-India relationship and cosponsoring the Safeguard Act to reinforce reporting obligations on human rights for arms exports.
Combatting Caste Discrimination: Strengthening the stance against caste discrimination by clarifying separation from far-right factions and endorsing proactive federal measures to counter caste discrimination within the United States.
Engaging in Inclusive Dialogue: Committing to engage with the coalition prior to, during, and after the India trip to foster an open and inclusive dialogue concerning the US-India relationship, with a particular emphasis on human rights. This includes sharing a public overview with the coalition post-trip.
Disassociation from Extremist Influences: Requesting the Congressman to distance himself from extremist groups and their harmful narratives, while sharing relevant information about their far-right affiliations with his office.
Championing Democracy and Accountability: Taking the lead in organizing an India Caucus conference to address civil society concerns and spotlight the role of the BJP in undermining democracy and rights. This conference should involve credible experts testifying on the matter.
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