Thousands of Pakistanis, Sikhs and members of human rights organisations on Sunday staged a protest in Houston, Texas, to condemn the Modi-led Indian government’s human rights violations in Indian held Kashmir (IHK) which escalated after New Delhi’s move on Kashmir.
The Indian government has imposed draconian measures, including use of brutal force and a communications blackout, after revoking the disputed valley’s semi-autonomous status in a rushed presidential decree on August 5.
On Sunday, Indian diaspora in the United States organised a rally for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a football stadium in Houston, with US President Donald Trump also in attendance, according reports.
According to ABC news, Justice for All, an interfaith human rights group, and its allies organised a massive protest demonstration outside the venue with protesters chanting “Go back Modi” and “Modi is a terrorist”.
Muslims and Sikhs from different cities of Texas – including Houston, Dallas, Austin and Saint Antonio – had chalked out a plan to disrupt Modi’s rally at the NRG Stadium.
The Sikh community has joined hands with Pakistanis to protest against New Delhi’s barbaric treatment of Kashmiris in IHK. The International Humanitarian Foundation has also responded to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call to gather in the city, which is home to over 50,000 Pakistani immigrants, said Saeed Sheikh, president of the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association. Around 50 buses were used to transport up to 40,000 people to the protest site. Anti-Modi and anti-India banners were also put up around the venue. The expenses for the protest were borne by generous members of the Pakistani diaspora and strict security measures were taken to ensure safety for all.
