UK House of Lords holds debate on Human Rights in India

The UK House of Lords held a debate on the Human Rights in India yesterday, Thursday 22nd July 2021, to discuss the rights abuses against minority groups, journalists, academics and NGOs committed under prime minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Lord Harries of Pentregarth raised to question to the grand committee. He mentioned that the freedom of those in academia is under threat in India, as well as those in the media; 67 journalists were arrested, detained and interrogated in 2020 alone, he stated. Even NGOs, before Covid, were finding it difficult to obtain visas, he added and “since Covid, they have been harassed by new laws against protesters, and some have had their bank accounts frozen.” He also spoke about the plight of Muslims, Christians and Dalits, noting that they had all suffered under Modi’s regime.

While freedom of speech of other religious minority groups was discussed, the situation affecting Sikhs was only addressed by Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon.

He mentioned the previous human rights abuses of the Indian government, such as former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s regime which led a genocide against Sikhs in 1984, and noted how under Modi’s watch, Hindu nationalist groups attempt to assimilate Sikhi into the Hindu faith.

“Attempts are made by threat and flattery to absorb Sikhs into the Hindu fold,” he added, “despite clear Sikh teachings repudiating the caste system, idol worship and discrimination against women”.

He also explained how farmers from across India have been camped on the outskirts of New Delhi for over a year, in the largest mass protest ever seen, to protest against “the Government’s unconstitutional rigging of the market to enrich their supporters”. 

“Water and power are routinely cut off, and demonstrating farmers savagely beaten by the RSS, under the watchful eyes of the police,” he said.

He added that judges who call out this behaviour are routinely replaced, and that University lecturers and students who protest against India’s growing intolerance are subjected to police brutality. 

“Such brave people are India’s best hope for the future. They deserve our support,” he said.

The debate was responded to by Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, who made no promises to intervene in India. He said that the UK will continue to engage with India on issues of trade, but that “human rights remain central to our thinking.”

He added that the UK will raise concerns with India in private.