Bob Menendez, an American senator and Democrat from New Jersey has issued a statement condemning the widespread mob violence in Delhi. He has also questioned US President Donald Trump’s silence on the subject.
Menendez says, “I am deeply concerned about the impact and consequences resulting from the shocking communal violence that unfolded in Delhi this week, particularly as it relates to India’s democracy and human rights. On Sunday, clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which I have previously warned threatens India’s long history of secularism and democratic values. Those clashes unfortunately spiraled into wider communal violence that killed dozens and injured hundreds more.”
He has urged the Indian government to intervene and protect people. Menendez says, “I urge Indian authorities to step in and defend the communities being targeted in Delhi to prevent the violence from escalating further. As the world’s largest democracy, the Indian government must do more to defend all of its citizens’ rights, including the right to peaceful protest.”
Finally, condemning US President Donald Trump’s reluctance to speak out against violence that raged on even as he visited India, Menendez says, “Likewise, President Trump’s failure to publicly voice concern about the clashes or express support for the human rights of all Indians during his visit to India is simply unacceptable. The United States must be a leading voice in standing up for democratic values and human rights, including protection of religious minorities. I urge the Trump Administration, and the rest of the international community, to condemn the violence in Delhi and press the Indian government to protect all persons in India regardless of their religion.”
This statement comes at the heels of a condemnation of the violence by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Their statement had pulled no punches and openly identified the violence as anti-minority. They had also called out the Delhi Police and Indian government for their failure to protect minorities bearing the brunt of the violence.
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Delhi Police have not intervened in attacks against Muslims: USCIRF