IAMC asks US Congressional leaders to withdraw PM Modi's invitation.

Congressional leaders in the United States have been encouraged by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) to withdraw their invitation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Congress.

Modi is invited to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on June 22, 2023, according to a letter released by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnel, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The invitation was requested by Reps. Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the India Caucus.

"Modi's address will be remembered as a terrible day in the history of the US Congress. It is immoral to welcome a leader who was once prohibited from entering the US due to his participation in the Gujarat pogrom of 2002, which resulted in the deaths of 2,000 Muslims who were primarily from India. The State Dinner at the White House and this speech to Congress will both reflect poorly on the American Congress and the Biden administration, according to IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed.

"Religious minorities in India, particularly Muslims and Christians, experience marginalisation and persecution as a result of Modi's policies and rhetoric. Giving him the opportunity to address Congress sends a troubling message to not just Indian Americans but also to those who support equality and justice around the world, according to IAMC President Mohammad Jawad.

"We hope that the Congressional leaders will reconsider their choice and use their platform to address critical issues surrounding Modi's leadership, his persecution of civil society organisations, the press, and the overall alarming decline of democratic values under his administration," Jawad continued.