IMC-USA applauds Congressional Resolution
condemning persecution by Modi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2005. New York, N.Y. The Indian Muslim Council-USA today applauded the introduction of resolution in the US Congress condemning persecution of Muslims and Christians by Narendra Modi the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat. The resolution was introduced yesterday by Congressmen John Conyers (D, MI-14) and Joseph Pitts (R, PA-16).

In a joint Press Release Cong. Conyers and Cong. Pitts urged the United States to condemn violations of religious freedom, and to assist the Indian government in promotion of fundamental right to freedom of religion in India.

Congressman Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, said, "Mr. Modi has attacked Muslims and Christians with vile venom, and according to both India's highest court and many international human rights groups, has condoned terrible, violent religious hate crimes, all the while, shielding those said to have committed them. Such actions by high-ranking government officials of any religion are unacceptable and must not be tolerated. The United States has a duty to set an example for other new democracies by condemning religious intolerance and promoting religious freedom, so that others may see what our great democracy stands for."

"The evidence is clear. Mr. Modi persecutes religious minorities in Gujarat. Our government should speak with one voice in condemning these policies and the actions of the Modi administration that has led to the death, torture, and imprisonment of thousands in Gujarat," said Congressman Pitts, a member of the India Caucus and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.

The resolution is a major boost to the multi-pronged efforts by the Coalition Against Genocide, of which IMC-USA is a founding member, to educate the public, media and policy makers in the United States about the spread of religious hatred in India. The Coalition which includes community-based ethnic and religious groups, developmental groups, women's groups, human rights groups and academic experts in the United States and Canada is protesting the visit of Narendra Modi.

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is under tremendous pressure to cancel its invitation to Modi as the chief guest at its 2005 Convention in Fort Lauderdale, FL next week. Modi is also invited by Association of Indian Americans of North America (IANA) to speak at another event in Madison Square Garden, New York on the 20th of March.

Earlier, Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC's "Hardball" program made a conscientious decision by withdrawing as a keynote speaker at the convention. He was educated about Modi by the coalition and received hundreds of calls and e-mails from concerned individuals asking him to cancel his speech.

Currently American Express Corporation is under pressure to withdraw as a key sponsor of the AAHOA convention. Responding to a call by the Coalition Against Genocide concerned individuals have been calling, sending e-mails and faxes to officials at American Express requesting them to cancel their sponsorship of the event.


CONTACT:

M.K.Rahman
Secretary General, IMC-USA
265 Sunrise Highway, suite 1-355
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 567- 0783
[email protected]