Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States led to a polarisation of the Indian diaspora in the country.
While enthusiastic crowds of Indian-Americans gathered to welcome the PM, other members of the community staged protests and demonstrations expressing concerns about human rights issues under his administration.
In one such case, members of the Indian-American community met regarding the violence happening in Manipur, India, at Santoor Restaurant.
Dr Anna George, Associate Professor at Molloy University, led the meeting attended by 23 eminent community leaders of various organisations and human rights’ activists who expressed genuine concerns regarding the violence in Manipur; in particular, the fate of Christians in the state.
Clashes first broke out in the Indian state of Manipur on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
During the meeting to discuss the Manipur violence, Dr George addressed the gathering and voiced her serious concerns regarding the violence.
"What is taking place in Manipur is a horrible violation of human rights and religious freedom," she said, pointing out that over 200 churches were burnt down, about 100 or more people were killed, and about 80,000 people were displaced. "They are finding shelter in the forest; they have no homes to return to, so we must decide to do something to help the victims in Manipur."
More than 100 people have lost their lives and a large number of houses were torched rendering many people homeless in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far.
George Abraham, an attendee at the meeting, spoke in detail about the suffering of the Christians in the Kuki tribal community who have been primarily targeted and went on to state that the government appears to be neither helping to quell the riots nor providing adequate shelter, food, and medicines to those who have become refugees.
The meeting passed a resolution condemning all the violence and noted that the rioters' objective appeared to be the ethnic cleansing of Christians from their tribal land. Participants expressed their shock and surprise at the slow walk by the Central government to arrest and punish radical elements.
The meeting also decided to create further awareness and influence decision-makers on the nature of these riots. They also planned to launch a fundraising effort to help the people in Manipur who have become victims of violence.
Koshy George, the president of the Federation of Indian Christian Organisations in North America (FIACONA), lauded the initiative and appreciated those who have come forward and pledged his support to help the cause.
In other instances, trucks bearing banners and digital posters were seen in the streets of New York urging President Biden to question Prime Minister Modi regarding alleged human rights violations in India.
The banners highlighted issues such as mob lynching of Muslims, Christians, and dalits, lack of accountability, prolonged detention without trial of student activist Umar Khalid, and the ban on Modi's entry into the US from 2005 to 2014 following his alleged role in 2002 Gujarat riots.