US lawmakers have urged secretary of state Marco Rubio to raise concerns over democratic freedoms with Indian officials during his upcoming visit.In a letter dated October 16, six US lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and James P McGovern, have urged Rubio to discuss freedom of expression, the right to protest and voting rights with Indian officials. They also raised concerns over student protests following exam-related issues and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.The lawmakers also noted steps taken by the government to address students’ concerns, including education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Jayapal reiterates call for freedom of expression
Jayapal shared the appeal in a post on X on Friday (local time), stressing the responsibility of both countries to uphold democratic freedoms. “As the world’s largest democracies, the US and India have an obligation to promote and defend the rights to freedom of assembly and expression.”“@RepMcGovern and I are urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prioritize those freedoms and human rights when he meets with Indian officials in the coming days,” she added.The letter was signed by Jayapal, McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Chuy Garcia, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Ilhan Omar. It highlighted the importance of democratic principles in relations between the two countries.“As the world’s largest democracies and state parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the US and India have an obligation to promote and defend the rights to freedom of assembly and expression,” the letter stated.
Student protests and voter roll revision flagged
The lawmakers referred to protests following the leak and cancellation of the national medical college entrance examination. They also raised concerns over demonstrations linked to the Election Commission’s SIR exercise.Citing concerns raised by UN human rights experts, the letter questioned the transparency of the voter roll revision process and its potential implications for electoral participation. It also referred to reports of protest-related detentions and the response of law enforcement agencies to demonstrations.The lawmakers acknowledged the Indian government’s response to student grievances following examination-related concerns.“We note that the Indian government has taken some steps to address the grievances of students impacted by exam leaks, with the notable inclusion of Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation,” the letter stated.
US lawmakers seek probe into demonstrations
The letter also referred to reports that individuals associated with Indian diplomatic missions had photographed participants at demonstrations in Washington, Chicago and San Francisco. The lawmakers called for the reports to be investigated.They urged the US administration to encourage transparent investigations into alleged violations linked to law enforcement actions during protests, review detentions involving the exercise of fundamental freedoms and examine the reports concerning demonstrations in the United States.“The free exercise of fundamental freedoms and the right to vote is core to the democratic identities of both the United States and India,” the letter stated.The lawmakers called on Rubio to raise these issues during his meetings with Indian officials.
India rejects Jayapal’s remarks
The appeal comes after India strongly criticised Jayapal’s comments on its electoral process on Friday, describing them as “unwarranted, uninformed” and tantamount to interference in the electoral practices of a fellow democracy.Responding to a question during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We find the remarks of the Congresswoman unwarranted and uninformed and tantamount to interfering in the electoral practices of a fellow democracy. This is an approach that undermines democracy itself.”Earlier, on Thursday, India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, had also rejected Jayapal’s allegations regarding a voter purge.Describing her remarks as “unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs”, Kwatra wrote on X, “The remarks by Rep. Jayapal on India’s electoral and political processes are unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs.”He added, “India is a vibrant democracy with robust, independent constitutional institutions and a longstanding record of free and fair elections. Always open to constructive conversation with the Congresswoman to dispel her misconceptions.”Rubio is scheduled to visit India and Uzbekistan between October 17 and 22. His India itinerary includes Mumbai and Jamnagar, where he is expected to meet senior Indian government officials to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership and explore enhanced energy cooperation.Meanwhile, the ECI is conducting a nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in multiple phases. The Commission has clarified that lists identifying absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate voters were publicly displayed and shared with political parties. It has also maintained that people whose names have been deleted from the electoral rolls can apply for enrolment at any time.