Former Vice president of India Hamid Ansari, being a person who once held one of the country’s highest constitutional posts for a full decade, criticised India’s democracy on a global platform.
“In recent years, we have experienced the emergence of trends and practises that dispute the well-established principle of civic nationalism and interpose a new and imaginary practice of cultural nationalism,” Ansari had said.
His comments came during a virtual event held in Washington DC on the theme of “Protecting India’s Pluralist Constitution” on the eve of Republic Day.
Interestingly, the event was organised by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Amnesty International (USA), Genocide Watch, and several other groups known for their anti-India stance.
IAMC and Amnesty India have a shadowy past and have been trying desperately to meddle in the internal affairs of India. IAMC is affiliated with a banned terrorist organization (SIMI) and regularly features individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda and Al Haramain as speakers at its events. It’s also alleged that IAMC are linked with Jamaat-e-Islamic (JeI).
IAMC has been extensively carrying out anti-India propaganda in the US and according to a recent investigations by DisInfor labs, it has reportedly lobbied several groups in the USA to get India black-listed by the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom).
IAMC founder Shaik Ubaid with the help of Fidelis Government Relations (FGR) and First Principles Strategies, had raised a total of US$412,000 to promote sanctions against Burma, China and India on “issues related to human rights.”
Rasheed Ahmed, who heads the IAMC shares close relations with Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) which is headed by ex-Pakistan army officer.
In addition to these, the online event also includes Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker, Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Andy Levin, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius and Nadine Maenza who chairs the USCIRF.
FGR head Terry Allen has been a long-time associate of Nadine Maenza.
Jim McGovern, Andy Levin, and Senator Markey has a history of taking anti-India stands, including opposing the India-US civil nuclear deal regardless of the governments in power in New Delhi.
