The >letter written by 64 Members of Parliament in November 2012 (some have denied signing it), urging Barack Obama to advise the U.S. State Department not to reconsider its decision of denying Narendra Modi an entry visa, is unethical. The U.S. can take a decision independently on whether or not Mr. Modi can be given a visa.
He is an elected Chief Minister of an Indian State. Our MPs cannot write to a foreign government against him. As it is, the U.S. has been functioning as a super cop, interfering in the affairs of other countries. The MPs have only made it easier for it to dictate to India on policy matters.
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Mr. Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots is a matter to be discussed within our country. By writing about a Chief Minister to the head of the United States, the MPs have downgraded India’s stature as an independent, sovereign state.
To whom the U.S. authorities decide to grant a visa is their business. It would mark a new low in international diplomacy if the U.S. takes cognisance of the request made by the MPs.
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P.P. Sethumadhavan,
Bangalore
It was most shocking and distressing to read about the “respectful” request of some of our MPs. I am not a Modi admirer but as a citizen of India, I feel any action against him should be within the framework of our Constitution. If he is found guilty for his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, the judiciary will surely do the needful. Why should anyone seek the intervention of an external agency to prevent him from going to the U.S.? Instead, the MPs could have sought external help to track the black money stashed away abroad.
S. Jayaraman,
Bangalore
Mr. Modi doesn’t need a hi-tech social media team to boost his image. The Opposition parties are doing it for him free of charge.
Balaji Narain,
Bangalore
The Gujarat Chief Minister may or may not be guilty but it is an internal matter. The MPs have displayed their immaturity by seeking the assistance of a foreign country to insult one of our own citizens. Did they not know that most countries are unhappy with the U.S. foreign policy?
Yogesh Govindan,
New Delhi
Now that some MPs have denied signing the letter addressed to Mr. Obama, others must clarify whether they signed it. Those behind the unsavoury episode should ask themselves whether their action of seeking American help to discredit and punish an elected Chief Minister is consistent with the country’s respect or sovereignty.
A.N. Lakshmanan,
Bangalore