Ro Khanna slammed for meeting Hindutva ideologue on India visit

United States Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has faced backlash for his meeting with far-right Hindutva ideologue Abhijeet Iyer-Mitra. Iyer-Mitra criticized Khanna for aligning with Hindu nationalists, asserting that such alignment contradicts his progressive values. Khanna, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, engaged with Indian government officials and business leaders. Iyer-Mitra commended Khanna for his frankness and perceptiveness in enhancing India-US relations. In response, Ro Khanna expressed his appreciation for the constructive dialogue, Iyer-Mitra’s insights on the US-India relationship, and the exchange of ideas.

The Indian-American Muslim Council has condemned Khanna for engaging with a far-right Islamophobe and embracing those who enable hate and violence against Muslims. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government took power in 2014, Muslims have faced increasing attacks, including lynchings and jails.

A religious freedom watchdog recommended adding the Indian government to a blacklist in May, and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom called on the Department of State to designate India as a “country of particular concern” for the worsening conditions of minorities in South Asia. Iyer-Mitra has been accused of promoting an Islamophobic narrative through his tweets and calling Congresswoman Ilhan Omar a “jihadi” after her exchange with an Indian journalist.

Democratic Congressman Khanna has vowed to reject Hindu nationalism and met Israeli Prime Minister Mahmoud Iyer-Mitra, who has spoken on Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Critics have called for Khanna to apologize to Omar and issue a statement against Iyer-Mitra. Khanna, representing California’s 17th Congressional District, attributed his meeting to his grandfather’s legacy as a freedom fighter and maintained his core values.

‘Appeasing his Indian backers and electorate in US’

Khanna, an academic based in the United States, has urged Prime Minister Modi to speak before a combined session of the US Congress during his visit in July. He drafted a letter with support from both sides of the aisle. Underscoring the significance of interacting with the Indian Prime Minister to advance discussions on human rights.

Khanna has justified his endorsement of Modi, stating that he is democratically elected. Also, Modi will continue to speak against human rights violations. He has argued that every American politician of Hindu faith should stand for pluralism, reject Hindutva. People should speak for equal rights for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians.

However, a US-based academic has criticized Khanna’s meeting with Iyer-Mitra as an act of appeasement. Arguing that he is appeasing his Indian backers and electorate in the US. The congressman is trying to align with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party without alienating the Hindu diaspora. It is a significant overseas financier. Khanna has also criticized for not meeting Indian opposition leaders or minority representatives during his trip.