Assam chief minister’s attack on Barack Obama shows how Islamophobia is dulling India’s soul

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US has met with sharp criticism in some quarters. US President Joe Biden’s administration has been questioned for its decision to accord a red-carpet welcome to Modi despite the assault on democratic institutions and attacks on minorities under his leadership.

Among the Americans who expressed concern about the situation in India was former US President Barack Obama. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, he suggested that when Biden met with Modi, the “protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India” would be worth mentioning.

“…if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility India at some point starts pulling apart,” Obama said. “And we’ve seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts.”

“If the president meets with Modi, the protection of Muslim minorities in a majoritarian Hindu India is worth mentioning.”

— Barack Obama pic.twitter.com/NMpAYPY4qW— Dr. Ayesha Ray (@DrAyeshaRay) June 23, 2023

At a rare press conference in Washington on Thursday Modi had sought to allay fears about what many perceive to be an authoritarian turn in India. Modi said that India has shown that democracy could deliver.

“And when I say deliver, this is regardless of...

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