Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister for India’s Union, responded vehemently to former US President Barack Obama‘s comments on Indian Muslims’ rights on Sunday. At a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, Sitharaman disagreed with Obama’s remarks and cited his administration’s military interventions in countries having a majority of Muslims. The minister questioned Obama’s contentious media appearance in which he declared his desire to talk to Prime Minister Modi about the plight of Indian Muslims. “I was shocked,” the finance minister exclaimed. A former US President was speaking about Indian Muslims when PM Modi was campaigning in the US, and by campaigning, I mean speaking about India.
“And because it involves another nation, I’m stating this with caution. We want to be friends with the US but also hear criticisms about India’s religious freedom there. How will people believe his claims coming from a former president who oversaw the bombing of six nations with a majority of Muslims with more than 26,000 bombs? she asked.
Because they believe they can’t defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development programs, the minister said, “I find this deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere in this country.”
Announcing that her government does not discriminate against any community, Sitharaman emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with All, Development for All) ideal during the press conference.
Additionally, Sitharaman slammed the Congress and other opposition parties for making unproven claims following electoral losses.Â
The Sensitivity of Human Rights
The United States has a history of frequently interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, and the nation has come under fire. India has frequently responded suitably, saying that the United States should concentrate on resolving its own human rights issues before seeking to lecture or impose its beliefs on other countries.
On June 22, former US President Barack Obama underlined his worries about India, saying the nation runs the risk of “pulling apart” if the rights of its Muslim minority are not upheld. He notably underlined the necessity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was at the time visiting the US, to discuss this issue.
If given the chance, Obama expressed his openness in talking with PM Modi about the issues surrounding protecting ethnic minorities’ rights in India.
During a news conference, questions about free speech and religious freedom in India were directed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prime minister was also questioned by a US reporter about prejudice towards minority communities and the steps his administration was taking to strengthen minority rights in the nation.
“We are a democracy; democracy is ingrained in both India and America. Democracy is ingrained in our DNA, a way of life, and is guaranteed by our Constitution. Therefore, there is no issue of caste, creed, or religion-based discrimination. Because of this, India abides by its commitment to sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka Vishwas, and sabka prayaas, according to PM Modi.
