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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline AUGUST 06, 2021 | The Indian Eye 22

FirSt impreSSiON

secretary Blinken’s assessment of Indian

democracy is not compatible with ground reality

KOShy GeOrGe

he most remarkable dem-
ocratic election in the
Tworld, in many ways, is
here in India” Blinken told a
press conference in New Delhi
recently. As a Pravasi Indian, I
wish these were true statements
and I want India to be known
this way among the nations of
the world. Blinken either be-
lieves this to be true or he was
ignoring the truth for the sake of
international diplomacy. Since
there is no freedom of the Press
in India; only polished news
comes out these days. Blinken
would have simply gone with a
political argument ignoring the
reality on the ground.
Either way, based on the with officials in India when he after the independence which gations. The electronic voting
facts on the ground, Blinken visits the country next week. If adopted the principles of plu- machines in India are always
was either misguided or as the Secretary Blinken was aware of ralism and secularism. Howev- under the control of the govern-
UCA (United Catholic Asian) human rights violations in India, er, the evils of the caste system ment where chances for abuses
news quotes it was Blinken’s how can he take an about-turn and the supremacy ideologies are real.
blinkered vision of India to suit stand after 12 hours of air trav- of the majority squeezed out Whoever may be ruling In-
the Modi government. These el to India? The United States any decency that was left in the dia we must have peace and
words would have been sooth- Commission on International political system in India by the harmony. This is possible only if
ing for the ears of Modi and Religious Freedom (USCIRF) ruling majority of the Modi gov- the ruling majority respects the
his party. However, this does recommends India as one of the ernment. interests of the minority. Cit-
not give justice to hundreds of Countries of Particular Con- The current government izens to follow religious faith
Christians and other minorities cern (CPC) as India is listed by has been suppressing all kinds of their choice in India has be-
who sacrificed their lives due to Open doors as the tenth most of freedom in India including come a challenge under Prime
the quest of the ruling party to violators of human rights in the individual and press freedoms. Minister Modi’s watch. If India
declare India as a Hindu state. world. Now Secretary Blinken Anyone criticizing any act of has to prosper, she has to get rid
The poor departed souls must will have to accept or reject the the government is termed as of the caste system. We appeal
have been churning in their recommendations of the State anti-national and they will be to the government of India not
graves when they hear such Department’s own report by the jailed indefinitely without the to pass any more laws that hurt
statements. The injustices suf- bureau of democracy human chance for a bail hearing. Such the interest of the minorities.
fered by the 84-year-old Fr. Stan rights and labor. atrocities are unheard of in a In the meantime, until India
Sway alone should have been We hope and pray that Sec- decent democracy. What is the reverses all its unjust laws, US
reason enough for Blinken to retary Blinken will have the wis- basis for Secretary Blinken’s as- State Department must include
have been more cautious in his dom to do the right thing. Of sessment that India is a remark- India in the list of CPC nations
statements about human rights course, no one is happy about able democracy? Facts on the to encourage India to go back
and respect for democratic such a rating for India, but due ground state otherwise. All he to her roots and give all Indians
principles by the government of to the stubborn stand of several needs is to talk to anyone of the the same rights and privileges
India. nationalists in the Modi admin- church leaders in India to find under the law.
According to Reuters, on July istration, this may be the only the real situation.
23, 2021 a senior State Depart- medicine for them to respect Is the election process in The opinion expressed in the
ment official said that US Sec- the basic human rights and reli- India rigged? Don’t know for article are of the author. The
retary of State Antony Blinken gious freedom of minorities. sure unless there is a reliable views do not reflect the editorial
will raise human rights issues India had a good beginning process for recounts or investi- opinion of The Indian EYE

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