India Denies Visas to Over 100 Speakers for Opposition Democracy Summit

NEW DELHI: India has blocked more than 100 international speakers from attending a democracy summit organized by the opposition Congress party, a senior opposition politician revealed on Friday.

Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP and former senior United Nations official, stated that 115 out of 315 speakers approved by India’s foreign ministry were subsequently denied entry or had their visas canceled, allegedly on the instructions of the home ministry. Tharoor expressed his dismay on social media, questioning the legal basis for such actions and lamenting that a proud democracy feels the need to suppress dissenting voices.

The visa denials have raised concerns about India’s commitment to democratic principles and freedom of expression. Notably, among those denied entry was a Norwegian journalist who had previously challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues related to press freedom. This incident underscores the growing tensions between the government and critics, both domestic and international.

In response to inquiries regarding the visa rejections, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry stated that visa matters are sovereign functions of any country. The opposition is expected to escalate its criticism and may seek to mobilize international support against what they perceive as an infringement on democratic rights.