Posted on 2013-09-30 | 10:30

Roger has called on the Government to reinstate the ban that prohibited an Indian Minister with links to sectarian violence from entering the UK. Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, has been accused of playing a role in outbreaks of violence in 2002 which claimed the lives of hundreds or even thousands of people. Mr Modi was previously banned from visiting the UK, but has now been invited to visit by the Parliamentary groups Conservative Friends of India and Labour Friends of India.

Roger says: “I am concerned that the UK Government is helping to whitewash Mr Modi’s suspected involvement in severe human rights violations for reasons of political and economic expediency.”

Roger has signed Early Day Motion 479, which asks the Government to reinstate the ban. He also tabled a Parliamentary Question asking the Government to clarify whether Mr Modi would be permitted to visit, and wrote to the Home Secretary urging her not to allow the visit to go ahead. In his letter Roger asked Theresa May to clarify whether she intends to reinstate the ban on Mr Modi entering the UK in view of his links to violent outbreaks, which some have termed genocide, in which British nationals were among those who died.

Roger says: “My constituents are concerned that this visit will be seen as condoning the killings which took place in 2002, and will also allow Mr Modi to raise funds and support in the UK. I therefore asked the Home Secretary for clarification on whether this visit is to go ahead.”

Roger also asked the Home Secretary whether Mr Modi will be permitted to enter the Palace of Westminster or to speak to Members of Parliament. He says: “I feel that it would be deeply inappropriate for such a meeting to take place, and would give credibility to Mr Modi’s anti-minority views. For the UK Government to be seen to be linked to a man who has condoned mass violence towards religious minorities would help neither India nor the UK.”

You can read the EDM here and the letter here.