BJP slams Barack Obama for his comments on Muslim rights
Leaders of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have slammed ex-US President Barack Obama for his recent comments on Muslims in India.
Mr Obama stated in an interview last week that India may “start pulling apart” if the liberties of minorities weren’t protected.
Barack Obama comments on Muslim rights in India:
He was replying to a question on how President Joe Biden should contend with “illiberal democrats”. Indian PM Narendra Modi was in the US on a state trip.
The three-day trip was marked by a ceremonious welcome to the White House, a sumptuous state dinner, and the signing of some important agreements. Mr Modi even addressed a joint session of the US Congress.
Mr Obama’s comments in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, which aired before the Congress speech, were widely noted in India. Ms Amanpour directed to the “threat to democracy” from so-called “illiberal democrats” before referring to Mr Modi as one.
“How should a president engage with those kinds of leaders, either in naming them or dealing with them?” she questioned.
Mr Obama said it was “difficult” before referring to his experience dealing with partners who may not have handled “ideally democratic governments” but with whom concerns had to be maintained for some reasons. He continued that it was “appropriate” for the US president, when feasible, to challenge “trends that are troubling” either in public or private.
“If the president meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is worth mentioning.”
“If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart,” he said, continuing that that would be contrary to India’s claims.
