Caravan News
WASHINGTON — A large number of protesters getting ready to battle the security arrangements for Mr. Modi and US President Donald Trump as the time is nearing for ‘Howdy Modi’ rally in Houston.
Protesters representing different affiliations including several Kashmiri and Khalistani separatist groups, and a number of Pakistani-American groups, and Alliance for Justice and Accountability, the umbrella organisation of Indian Americans, will gather at the venue where 50,00 people are registered to participate.
In a statement, the AJA, which includes Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and Organisation for Minorities of India led by Sikh-American Pawan Singh, said their coalition is “totally distinct from other non-Indian American protesters or those who challenge India’s territorial integrity.”
New York-based activist Sunita Vishwanath, who founded “Hindus for Human Rights,” that is part of the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), says she will join the groups that will picket Houston’s iconic NRG stadium — the rally venue.
“All of us are of Indian origin and the reason we are motivated to go to Houston to protest is because as people devoted to the secular idea of India, what we see happening in our homeland that we love is worrying,” Ms. Vishwanath is reported by The Hindu as saying.
The protests are spirited to register their anger against Modi government over the brutalities and inhuman treatment of Kashmiris in the wake of unilateral abrogation of Article 370. Though besides Indian Embassy staff, advance security teams have been working reportedly round the clock to ensure that none of the protesters is able to disrupt the proceedings at the venue.
Earlier on Thursday, a Houston court issued summons against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for committing human rights violations in occupied Kashmir just days ahead of a massive rally he is scheduled to address in the city.
According to the Houston Chronicle, summons were also issued against Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah and Commander of Indian Armed forces Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Commander.
