India lobbies to stifle criticism, control messaging in U.S. Congress amid rising anti-Muslim violence

On August 5, the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi moved to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into India. Months later, as so-called normalcy remains elusive, the U.S. House of Representatives is struggling to pass a nonbinding resolution that would condemn Modi’s actions and seek accountability for draconian restrictions and human rights abuses happening in the region.

Since Modi’s landslide reelection in May, the Indian government has instigated an alarming escalation of political and sectarian conflict. Daily protests and communal and police violence erupted across the country following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act on December 11… Last month, the protests morphed into an anti-Muslim pogrom in Delhi that coincided with Donald Trump’s first presidential visit to India.

Indian American Muslim Council, a nonprofit advocacy group, has led the campaign on Capitol Hill to inform members of Congress on the fallout of the CAA in India and appeal to them to publicly address it. The Indian Embassy caught wind of the group’s activities and tried to intervene by asking members of Congress to meet with them or showing up at their offices, said Sana Qutubuddin, national advocacy coordinator for the council. Though the fate of Jayapal’s resolution hangs in the balance, the Indian government’s lobbying apparatus shows no signs of abating its counteroperation to influence Congress and thwart progressive advocates.

SEE ALSO

Ghost of Gujarat 2002, brought alive by Delhi – By Sajeda Momin (Mar 8, 2020, The Telegraph)

Delhi violence: We need to ask some difficult questions regarding composition of security forces – By Humra Quraishi (Mar 19, 2020, National Herald)

Delhi riots were foisted on people – By Amar Bhushan (Mar 22, 2020, New Indian Express)

In Delhi, riots deepen a Hindu-Muslim divide – By Rupam Jain, Aftab Ahmed (Mar 16, 2020, Reuters)