Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom which will include talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II has turned out to be somewhat of an embarrassment.
Hundreds of people protested outside the Downing Street in London against the visit of Indian Prime Minister ahead of his talks with Cameron. Many of the protestors were Sikhs and some carried banners during the peaceful demonstration. The protestors criticized the Indian Prime Minister over a number of issues including claims of religious persecution, and interference in Nepal. The demonstrators held up banners with messages such as “Modi you are killing Indian democracy” and “Stop religious persecution in India”. In a related development about 45 members of British parliament, including opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, signed a motion to debate India’s human rights record. The Indian PM was also grilled by British journalists over his role in the Gujarat riots.
Signs of religious intolerance have been there for a long time but since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power, it’s gone to a new high. Former Indian foreign minister and congress leader, Salman Khurshid has also criticized the Modi government for declining Pakistan’s peace overtures.
From ever increasing atrocities in Kashmir, interference in neighbouring countries, cross border shelling in Pakistan to growing intolerance within the country India is fast becoming an extremist state. There has been an alarming increase in anti-Pakistan activities in India since Mr. Modi became the Indian Prime Minister. The continued aggression from elements in India against Pakistan and Pakistani nationals has not only damaged Pakistan’s sincere efforts of peace in the region but has made it obvious to the international community that Indian can go to any extent to establish regional hegemony.
The recent rise of extremism in India has become a danger to the entire region.
