[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 1159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           INDIA HUMAN RIGHTS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the state 
of religious freedom and pluralism in India. In a very troubling 
pattern, India's historic pluralism is being replaced with intolerance, 
division, and majoritarianism.
  Reports from NGOs, one of which I will submit for the Record today, 
have documented a rise in attacks by Hindu nationalists against 
minority Christian populations in the first 100 days of the new 
government. Continuing reports show a pattern of targeting religious 
minorities, including India's notably moderate Muslim population. The 
burning of churches, brutal beatings, intimidation, and arrests of 
pastors have created a tenuous climate in Indian society.
  As the government embarks on economic reforms, it should not ignore 
the plight of minorities. Newly elected Prime Minister Modi must speak 
out and act on this violence. Furthermore, the Obama administration 
must forcibly speak out on behalf of oppressed populations. Human 
rights should be elevated in the strategic dialogue between our two 
countries. Our government must display moral clarity in our approach to 
gross violations of international religious freedom--no matter where 
they occur.

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