By TCN News
The Indian American Muslim Council , an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, honoured Congressman Keith Ellision from Minnesota as a ‘Champion of Human Rights,’ at the India Republic Day celebration held in Minneapolis on the first weekend after January 26.
Congressman Ellison was the first Muslim to be elected in the Congress in 2006, when he also became the first Black politician to be elected from Minnesota. The award came in recognition of his work to advance Human Rights, both in United States and around the world.
Mike Siebenaler (in pic), Constituents Services Director in Rep. Ellison’s office, accepted the award on behalf of the Congressman.
Among the speakers was Robin Phillips, Executive Director, Advocates for Human Rights (AHR), an organisation that works in highlighting issues related to human rights and religious freedom of minorities in India.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have recently grave concern over the situation of minorities and the clampdown on dissent in India. Prime Minister Modi’s government, “failed to address increasing attacks on free expression and against religious minorities,” Human Rights Watch stated in its 659-page World Report. Amnesty International sought to bring international attention to the Modi government’s targeting of activists and protest groups for political ends.
“Speaking out against the violations of human rights and civil liberties of minorities in India, is an obligation of [the] entire Indian diaspora and not just the privilege of a few. AHR, whose mission is to promote civil society and to reinforce the rule of law, feels almost obligated to work with IAMC whose main goal is freedom, justice, and peace for all in India,” said Phillips.
Attendees and speakers noted the continued assault on minorities and lower castes. Delegates also expressed profound respect for Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar who was driven to commit suicide as a result of the harassment and intimidation at the University of Hyderabad, in which even Union ministers were involved. Outrage over Vemula’s treatment and subsequent death has been expressed in the form of mass protests at major universities and cities across US and around the world.
“This year’s Republic Day celebrations are marked by a grim reminder that the struggle to uphold justice and equality before the law for all people, regardless of caste and creed, is now more urgent than ever,” said Umar Malick, President of IAMC.
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