In an open letter addressed to S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for External Affairs, CPI-M, Rajya Sabha, Dr V Sivadasan from Kerala has expressed surprise at being denied political clearance to attend the Parliamentary Forum against Fascism scheduled to take place in Venezuela from November 4-6, 2024.
The meeting is being organised by the National Assembly of Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela. The open letter states that the meeting is an important one of parliamentarians from different countries to discuss the growing threat of fascism in the current global situation. “The grown of far right and neo-fascist forces is recognised by several democracies as a threat to the social fabric,” the letter states. Dr Sivadasan states that he was looking forward to participating in this event that would enable a world understanding of this global threat to develop and expresses surprise and lodges a protest, “ at being denied such an opportunity” by the MEA’s refusal to grant permission. The Rajya Sabha MP further states that Venezuela and India share many collaborations and his participation in Caracas on November 4 would have further strengthened ties.
“The denial of permission to participate in the Parliamentary Forum Against Fascism is a denial of my rights as a Member of the Indian Parliament and I strongly protest this decision,” the letter states.
The letter that was tweeted on X by the CPI-M may be read here:
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