The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said open calls for genocide of Indian Muslim by extremist figures linked to Narendra Modi’s government shows the urgent need for Congress to establish a special envoy to combat Islamophobia.

At a recent summit attended by ruling BJP party officials, far-right Hindutva groups called for the ethnic cleansing of minorities in India. One speaker said: “Economic boycott won’t work. Hindu groups need to update themselves. Swords look good on stage only. This battle against Muslims will be won by those with better weapons.” 

Another speaker said: “Nothing is possible without weapons. If you want to eliminate their population then kill them. Be ready to kill and be ready to go to jail. Even if 100 of us are ready to kill 20 lakhs of them [Muslims], then we will be victorious, and go to jail.”  

In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said: 

“These clear calls for genocide and ethnic cleansing by public figures associated with the Indian government once again show the urgent need for a special envoy to combat Islamophobia as outlined in the Combating International Islamophobia Act adopted in the House. India’s Muslim community is increasing targeted by hatred, discrimination and violence. The growing hate campaign must be challenged by our nation and countries around the world before it escalates further.” / agencies