The West has a long-standing habit of interfering in India's internal affairs, consistently engages in a continuous barrage of criticism regarding the state of democracy in India, and frequently overlooks the wrongdoing of extremists and criminals. They seem ever-ready to take the forefront in these matters. Recently, on April 22, 2024, the United States State Department released its Country Reports (BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR. 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: India. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE.) on Human Rights Practices, which included observations on India. While the summary touched upon issues like violence in Manipur and freedom of speech, the detailed report is noteworthy for its selective support of individuals like Umar Khalid, Atiq Ahmed, and Siddique Kappan, without delving into the reasons for their imprisonment.
Whitewashing Radical Islamist Umar Khalid
The Human Rights Practices report referred to Umar Khalid as a "student and human rights activist." However, the report, which was written before Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court, noted that his bail hearing had been adjourned until January 2024. It highlighted that Khalid's bail hearing had faced repeated delays since his arrest in 2020 under the UAPA. Both international and local activists had called for Khalid's release, citing concerns over his prolonged detention without trial. However, the report failed to mention that Khalid's counsel had sought seven out of fourteen adjournments in the Supreme Court. Additionally, as Khalid has withdrawn his plea from the Supreme Court, the matter has been listed in the Sessions Court, where it is currently sub judice. Furthermore, the delay in Khalid's bail plea has resulted in the postponement of trials related to the charges against him.
When examining Umar Khalid's background, it's essential to note that he is the son of a former member of the banned terrorist organization SIMI, a detail overlooked by his counsel during court proceedings. Additionally, Khalid was implicated in a larger conspiracy linked to the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of 2020. During his bail hearing, the Public Prosecutor emphasized Khalid's tendency to shape narratives in the media and online. Evidence presented included WhatsApp chats with various celebrities, media outlets, and activists, where Khalid shared links for them to promote on social media, and they complied.
Moreover, the prosecutor highlighted that while Khalid remains in jail, several media outlets and activists are conducting campaigns to sway public opinion in his favor, potentially influencing judicial proceedings. Interestingly, the US State Department has also engaged in similar activities amid Khalid's ongoing bail plea.
Whitewashing the Extremist and Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh
The Human Rights Practices report also attempts to gloss over the actions of Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh. While the report discusses the extensive deployment of paramilitary police and the restriction of internet and mobile messaging services during the manhunt, it fails to mention crucial details about Amritpal Singh. He is identified as an "ISI agent" who was brought to India by the Pakistani spy agency to incite violence in support of the Khalistan secessionist movement. Amritpal Singh openly threatened police officials and even warned that Home Minister Amit Shah would meet a fate similar to that of Indira Gandhi if the central government attempted to arrest him or his associates. It's noteworthy to mention that Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh.
Defending Anti-India Billionaire George Soros
In a surprising turn of events, the report characterized accusations against George Soros as "antisemitism." It's widely known that the billionaire is openly critical of India and provides financial support to media outlets, NGOs, and other organizations to target Indian, BJP, and Hindu leaders. The Human Rights Practices report mentioned, “Government officials made public statements and released social media posts alleging certain opposition political party figures and diaspora leaders were connected to George Soros, playing on an antisemitic conspiracy theory of an ‘all-controlling Jewish individual’ who was influencing events in the country. On October 6, the BJP’s official X account posted an edited image depicting Rahul Gandhi being controlled by Soros.”
This statement is not only factually incorrect but also demonstrates a lack of understanding of India's internal affairs by the US. Alternatively, it suggests that the US might be attempting to sow discord between the Jewish community and India. Soros, despite his religious affiliation, is viewed as a threat to the country due to his consistent criticism of the Modi government, funding of various NGOs and organizations to run anti-Modi campaigns, and support for extremist movements in India. In contrast, India has always stood in solidarity with the Jewish community, notably supporting Israel after the Hamas terror attack on October 7th. Just because India raises questions about Soros's intentions towards the country does not imply antisemitism within India.
Whitewashing Gangster Atiq Ahmed
The Human Rights Practices report described Atiq Ahmed as a “convicted prisoner and former parliamentarian from the Samajwadi Party accused of being a mobster”. However, Atiq Ahmed's criminal history goes far beyond mere accusations of mobsterism. With a staggering 102 cases filed against him, including charges of threats, attempted murder, and kidnapping, Ahmed's reputation as a notorious gangster was well-established. He faced the gangster act three times and even managed to run his criminal operations while incarcerated in various Uttar Pradesh jails. Ahmed's criminal record dates back to his teenage years, as he was accused in a murder case at the age of 17. In 2007, he was implicated in protecting individuals allegedly involved in the gang rape of madrasa students. Additionally, his brother Ashraf, also mentioned in the report, had 52 cases against him, including conspiring in the murders of Umesh Pal and Raju Pal.
Whitewashing the Doings of Siddique Kappan and Atikur Rahman
The Human Rights Practices report described Siddique Kappan as a “Kerala-based journalist” and detailed his detention while en route to Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, to cover the alleged gang rape of a Dalit woman in 2020. According to the report, Kappan, along with another individual, Rahman, both Muslims, were arrested and charged with sedition and provisions under the UAPA for allegedly promoting religious enmity between different groups.
Siddique Kappan was arrested by the UP Police on October 5, 2020, while he was on his way to ‘cover’ the Hathras case, where a 19-year-old Dalit woman had died. He was apprehended alongside three other individuals under stringent sections of UAPA and sedition charges, accused of attempting to incite caste conflict in the state amidst the Hathras case controversy. In addition to Kappan, Siddiqui from Nagla in Muzaffarnagar, Masood Ahmed from Jarwal in Bahraich district, and Alam from Kotwali area in Rampur district were also arrested. All four individuals had connections with the radical organization Popular Front of India (PFI) and were alleged to be planning to foment caste-based unrest in the state, as stated by the police.
Moreover, In the Supreme Court, the government also revealed that Siddique Kappan held a position within the now-banned Islamist organization Popular Front of India (PFI) and was traveling to Hathras under the guise of being a newspaper journalist from a Kerala-based outlet called ‘Tejas,’ which had ceased operations in 2018.
The Human Rights Practices report doesn't mention how Kappan was linked to a banned terrorist group. It also overlooks the claim that Kappan allegedly directed a hit squad to target BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma during the 2020 Delhi riots. According to a report from a local Malayalam media outlet, Janmabhumi, published on March 19, 2024, Siddique Kappan, reportedly angered by BJP leaders' efforts to stop PFI members from targeting Hindus during the riots, instructed the arrested PFI Hit Squad Commander Kamal KP to eliminate Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma. This directive purportedly occurred during a meeting at the Popular Front of India (PFI) controlled Green Valley Academy at Manjeri in Kerala's Malappuram district in September 2020.
Murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
The Human Rights Practices report suggests that the Indian Government may have engaged in transnational repression by referencing the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to the report, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an investigation into allegations that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar's killing. Nijjar was a Sikh Canadian citizen whom the Indian government had labeled as a terrorist for advocating for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state. However, the Indian government denied any involvement in his death.
It's important to note that despite Trudeau's accusations against India, no credible evidence has been presented to support these claims. Additionally, Canada has faced its own controversies regarding harboring individuals with questionable backgrounds. For instance, Canada has been known as a safe haven for terrorists, Nazis, gangsters, and criminals. In a particularly concerning incident, Canada honored a war criminal in its House of Commons, prompting widespread backlash. As a result, the Canadian government issued an apology, and the speaker resigned from their position.
India has been facing difficulties in seeking the extradition of several criminals who have found shelter in Canada. Despite repeated requests for assistance, Canadian authorities have not cooperated. Among those sought for extradition was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who entered Canada using a fake passport, posing as a Hindu. Despite having his citizenship denied multiple times, it was eventually granted to him a few years before his death, which occurred amid suspicions of involvement in a gang war. However, India has consistently denied any involvement in such actions on foreign soil.
Defending IAMC and HfHR
The Human Rights Practices report highlighted the Indian government's decision to withheld the accounts of organizations like Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) on social media platforms as examples of transnational repression. However, the report portrayed this action in a questionable light, suggesting that the Indian government conspired against these organizations because they were supposedly "working to advance human rights and religious freedom."
What the report failed to mention is the background of these organizations. Both HfHR and IAMC have a history of working against India's interests. The Indian American Muslim Council, for instance, has been linked to the banned Islamic terror outfit, Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Additionally, the IAMC has ties with extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) through its founder, Shaik Ubaid. Despite presenting itself as a rights advocacy group, the IAMC is backed by Jamat-e-Islami and has been accused of spreading fake news and misinformation to further the Islamist cause in India.
Moreover, the IAMC has been involved in lobbying efforts to get India blacklisted by international organizations like the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom). It has reportedly collaborated with and even paid money to various groups in the USA to achieve this goal. In 2021, the IAMC faced legal action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its activities.
Demolition of illegal houses in Nuh following anti-Hindu violence
The Human Rights Practices report noted "communal clashes" between Hindus and Muslims in Haryana on July 31st and August 1st. Following these clashes, local authorities in a Muslim-majority district demolished houses, claiming they were used by perpetrators of the violence and were illegally built on government land. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court intervened and stayed the demolition.
Interestingly, the report failed to mention the distressing events of violence that occurred in Nuh. On July 31st, when Hindus, organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad, planned a Shobha Yatra or procession in Nuh, Haryana, Islamist attackers targeted Hindus indiscriminately. They attacked Hindus in temples, throughout the city, and wherever they found them. The violence escalated with shops being set on fire, bullets fired, and stones thrown, resulting in several casualties among devotees and police personnel. Tragically, one devotee named Abhishek had his throat slit by the assailants. Despite the severity of these events, they were conspicuously absent from the Human Rights Practices report.
The World Press Freedom Index report by Reporters Without Borders
The Human Rights Practices report cited the World Press Freedom Index 2023 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to highlight concerns about press freedom in India, the world's largest democracy. According to RSF's annual Press Freedom Report, India ranked 161st out of 180 countries, marking a significant decline of 11 ranks from the previous year.
Interestingly, RSF noted improvements in press freedom in countries like Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Pakistan climbed from 157th to 150th position, while Afghanistan saw its ranking improve from 156 to 152.
It's striking to note that countries like Pakistan, where no prime minister has completed a full term since independence, and Afghanistan, which grapples with significant lawlessness, are ranked higher in press freedom than India which itself raises questions about the credibility of RSF's report.
Defending BBC
The Human Rights Practices report highlighted the Income Tax Department's raid on BBC, linking it to the screening of a controversial documentary. The documentary falsely accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of involvement in the 2002 Gujarat Riots during his tenure as Chief Minister of the state. However, the report failed to mention that the Supreme Court had already cleared PM Modi of any wrongdoing in the matter.
Despite the court's verdict giving clean chit to PM Modi, BBC proceeded with the release of the documentary. Subsequently, when the Indian government moved to ban the documentary in the country, BBC alleged suppression of media freedom.
Conclusion
In essence, the Human Rights Practices report released by the US State Department appears to be nothing short of a witch hunt and malicious propaganda aimed at tarnishing India's global reputation. The report seems to defend criminals and terrorist organizations while presenting several cases without proper context, portraying India as if it were losing its status as a democratic nation.
By omitting crucial details and misrepresenting events, the report creates a distorted view of India's human rights situation. It overlooks the efforts made by the Indian government to uphold democratic principles and maintain law and order. Instead, it unfairly targets India, undermining its achievements and progress on the global stage.
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