New Delhi blocks over 100 international speakers from attending democracy summit organised by Congress party
NEW DELHI:
India blocked more than 100 international speakers from attending a democracy summit organised by the opposition Congress party, a senior opposition politician said on Friday.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP and former senior United Nations official, said 115 of the 315 speakers cleared by India’s foreign ministry were subsequently refused entry or had their visas cancelled, “apparently on the instructions” of the home ministry.
“It is completely unclear under what provision of law the government has taken such a drastic step,” Tharoor wrote on X. “What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!” he added.
The Editors Guild of India condemned the cancellation.
