US congresswoman says she will boycott Modi's address to Congress

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Muslim Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said on Tuesday that she will be boycotting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Congress.

"It’s shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nation’s capital—his long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions targeting Muslims & religious minorities and censoring journalists is unacceptable," said the Democratic lawmaker on Twitter.

"I will be boycotting Modi’s joint address to Congress," Tlaib wrote.

In addition, more than 70 Democrats from both the House of Representatives and the Senate wrote a letter to President Joe Biden to discuss the need to protect human rights and democratic values in India as he meets with Modi this week.

Earlier in the day, Modi arrived in New York City.

Biden will host the Indian prime minister on Thursday, and Modi is also expected to address the US Congress.

Earlier this month, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the US's largest Muslim advocacy group, urged leaders of the Congress to cancel Modi's address.

Modi's address "sends the message that repressing Christians, Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs and other faith minorities is not an issue for the U.S. Congress," said the group in a statement.

"Modi’s anti-democratic policies, such as smothering critical journalism, are also the opposite of what the U.S. Congress should be seen as celebrating. If the Joint Meeting occurs, we plan to urge Members to boycott it," said the statement.

Modi's visit to Washington will mark his first since Biden assumed office in January 2021. Just two other world leaders have been granted state visits by Biden -- French President Emmanuel Macron in December and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April.