US diplomat 'encouraged' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement

New York: A senior US diplomat dealing with religious freedom, who is a frequent critic of India, has said that he was "encouraged" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements urging unity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Brownback said on Thursday: "I've been encouraged and we've been encouraged by statements from senior Indian officials really urging a unity, and noting the Prime Minister stated even that COVID-19 does not see religion, language, or borders, which is certainly true."

But Brownback also said during a news briefing: "In India, we've seen reports of unfortunate COVID-related rhetoric and harassment, particularly against the Muslim community. This has been exacerbated by fake news reports, misinformation being shared via social media. There have also been instances of Muslims being attacked for allegedly spreading the coronavirus." He was, however, silent about the Tablighi Jamaat's role in spreading COVID-19 and having large gatherings of people in close quarters after India announced a lockdown on March 24 to contain the pandemic.

Modi had said in social media posts on April 19: "COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together." He said that the USCIRF recommendation got "got a lot of interest both here and in India". (IANS)

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