'Dissent being criminalized, minorities face persecution': PM’s France visit sparks concerns over democratic values

By A Representative 

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France to co-chair an international AI summit, several civil society organizations and members of the Indian diaspora  raised concerns about the state of democratic freedoms and human rights in India.

In a joint statement, organizations including the Indian Alliance Paris, India Labour Solidarity,  International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India, and South Asia Solidarity Group highlighted what they describe as a deterioration of civil liberties under the Modi government. The statement alleges that independent media is being suppressed, dissent is being criminalized, and religious and socio-economic minorities face persecution. The groups also raised concerns about the use of digital surveillance technologies, including AI-powered facial recognition and Pegasus spyware, for monitoring political opponents and critics.

The organizations criticized the French government and the European Union for prioritizing business and geopolitical interests over democratic values. They called on France to acknowledge India’s democratic challenges and ensure that human rights considerations are integral to bilateral agreements, including trade, defense, and technology collaborations.

In the context of the AI summit, the statement urged France and other international partners to exercise caution in their technology partnerships with governments accused of suppressing democratic freedoms. The groups also called on French civil society, journalists, and human rights advocates to take a stand against what they see as India's shift toward authoritarianism.

The signatories of the statement emphasized that democracy should not be compromised for economic or strategic gains and urged France to use its relationship with India to advocate for fundamental rights, press freedom, and democratic governance.