United Kingdom to discuss minority persecution with PM Modi in CHOGM

Britain: The United Kingdom, reportedly to raise the concerns of persecution towards minorities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere in April’s meet of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London and Windsor. After a long debate in House of Commons at the Westminster Hall, MPs are said to have cited the alleged persecution against minorities.

According to a report in Sikh Siyasat News, the MPs had demanded ministers to discuss the matter at CHOGM, when Commonwealth leaders visit the UK. “Members of Sikh community across the country have become severely concerned, that they too may be detained for the reason of belonging to the Sikh faith,” said MP Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party).

UK’s Foreign Office minister for Asia Mark Field reportedly said: “Some profound points about Christian and Sikh minorities in India have been made. We will do our best to raise some of those in an appropriate manner at the Commonwealth meet in April.”

The Indian officials of the Ministry of External Affairs have reportedly said that they would have to look into the transcript of debate before saying anything in this regard.