The Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association (ASJA) has confirmed it will send a formal letter of concern to both the Office of the Prime Minister and the Indian High Commission opposing the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a response to questions sent to ASJA general secretary Rahimool Hosein by Guardian Media yesterday, the association said it has a “deep and principled concern” over the Government’s decision to officially welcome a leader with what it called a “widely criticised human rights record.”
ASJA said it had no objection to diplomatic engagement in principle, but strongly objected to what it views as the legitimisation of a political figure whose government has “emboldened religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim minority” in India.
ASJA said, “We cannot ignore Mr Modi’s political legacy and its ramifications for Muslim communities globally.”
The organisation referenced multiple allegations levelled against Modi’s administration over the years, including the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which it described as discriminatory to Muslims, and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status, which was followed by what it called a military lockdown of a Muslim-majority region.
ASJA also cited Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, during which time more than 1,000 mostly Muslim citizens were killed while he served as Chief Minister. “His administration was accused of complicity and deliberate inaction by both domestic and international observers,” ASJA said, noting that despite India’s Supreme Court clearing Modi of wrongdoing in 2022, “human rights watchdogs and political figures globally, including British MPs such as Imran Hussain and Naz Shah, have continued to raise alarm over the lack of justice.”
Asked whether the association saw the visit as an opportunity for engagement or interfaith dialogue, ASJA replied, “While we welcome engagement grounded in honesty and human dignity, Prime Minister Modi’s track record does not reflect a commitment to interfaith harmony, but rather the propagation of Hindutva ideology, a political philosophy which has often regarded Indian Muslims as outsiders.”
ASJA said internal consultations are ongoing and it intends to engage civil society during a public forum on Islamophobia and religious freedom.
To the Muslim community, ASJA said, “This visit should not weaken our faith or sense of identity, it should strengthen our commitment to justice.”
Modi will be awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), the nation’s highest honour, during his visit, the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday.
Meanwhile, all schools have been advised to close by 11.30 am tomorrow to facilitate Modi’s visit to T&T. The Education Ministry said the early dismissal will assist in reducing traffic.