US Congressman campaigns to invite Narendra Modi

Chicago  : A US Congressman who has mounted a campaign to revoke the ban on an American visa for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi says in the “trying economic times” this country “could learn a great deal from him”.

“Modi has been recognized across the world for his staunch stance against corruption and for making Gujarat a shining example of the successes that pro-growth, limited government policies can create.

In the US’s trying economic times, we could learn a great deal from him. Instead of denying him a visa, we should be inviting him to apply,” Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, who represents Illinois’ 8th district from the Chicago area, told IANS in an interview.

Walsh is a controversial figure known for his strong anti-big government views and is seen as a favorite of the Tea Party movement, implacably opposed to the Obama administration generally and President Barack Obama personally.

In certain sections of Chicago’s Indian American community, particularly those who support Modi, he is a popular figure.

The ban on Modi was imposed in 2005 when George W. Bush was president and has been continued by his successor Barack Obama. It was imposed under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to foreign government officials “who have committed particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”

In the case of the Gujarat chief minister,the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which hundreds of Muslims were killed, were the primary cause that triggered this particular section.

However, it is Walsh’s argument that Modi “has never been tried nor convicted, as required under this statute, of any religious crimes in any country. Regardless, the statute states that he can be denied a visa only up to 24 months after a conviction. The allegations arose in 2002; it is now 2012.”

In a reply to the Congressman dated July 3, 2012, David S Adams, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs at the State Department, countered the argument. He said that the two-year limitation cited by Walsh was eliminated under a section of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

“This provision now makes persons found to have committed these acts permanently ineligible for a visa. No conviction is required,” Adams said.

He, however, said, “Should Modi submit a new application for a visa in the future, he will be given every possible consideration consistent with U.S. law and policy.”

Notwithstanding that, Walsh maintained in his interview that both the administrations have got this issue wrong. “Modi has neither been tried nor convicted of any religious crimes in any country,” he said.

Asked how hopeful he is of a resolution of this case, Walsh told IANS: “I would not be taking on this cause if I were not hopeful that a resolution was possible. This is an important issue to many of my constituents and I plan on seeing it through.”

Walsh said he has spoken to Modi “briefly by phone.”

(IANS)