India Denies Visas to Over 100 Speakers for Summit

News Desk

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.

The summit, aimed at discussing democratic values and governance, faced significant disruptions as 115 out of 315 approved speakers were denied entry or had their visas canceled.

Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP and former senior United Nations official, stated that the visa denials appeared to be executed on the instructions of the home ministry.

Among those affected was a Norwegian journalist known for questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues of press freedom.

Tharoor expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “It is completely unclear under what provision of law the government has taken such a drastic step.”

He further lamented, “What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!”

This incident raises serious questions about India’s commitment to democratic principles and freedom of expression. Critics argue that such actions reflect a growing trend of authoritarianism, where dissenting voices are silenced to maintain political control.

The implications for civil society and international relations could be profound, as foreign observers may view these actions as a signal of India’s deteriorating democratic norms.

In response to inquiries about the visa denials, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry stated that “visa matters are sovereign functions of any country or any government.”

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Congress party will pursue further actions to challenge these decisions or if international pressure will lead to a reconsideration of the visa policies.