Congresswoman Sheila Jackson gives 'rousing welcome' to Modi

Despite six lawmakers boycotting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Congress address, Chairperson of the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus Congresswoman Sheila Jackson gave a rousing welcome to the Indian leader.

When the Indian premier arrived at the Congress session, Congresswomen Jackson stood up from her seat and welcomed Modi. While Modi also patted her and had a conversation with her

Interestingly, when Modi ended his speech, multiple US lawmakers rushed to the Indian leader for autographs. Seeing the opportunity, Congresswoman Jackson also rushed towards Modi and asked one of her colleagues to take the picture for her.

According to The New York Times, at least half-dozen liberal House Democrats had boycotted Modi’s speech to Congress on Thursday afternoon in protest of his abysmal human rights record, particularly toward Muslim minority groups in India.

Four of the boycotting lawmakers included Representatives Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and Jamaal Bowman. The four also issued a joint statement about their boycott.

The lawmakers termed the address as “an embarrassing spectacle,” adding that by giving Modi such a rare platform Congress was undermining “its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world”.

“We must never sacrifice human rights at the altar of political expediency,” said the lawmakers.

While another lawmaker Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who also boycotted the address, stated: “A joint address is among the most prestigious invitations and honours the United States Congress can extend. [But] We should not do so for individuals with deeply troubling human rights records — particularly for individuals whom our own State Department has concluded engaged in systematic human rights abuses of religious minorities and caste-oppressed communities.”

This sixth lawmaker that boycotted the session was Summer Lee.