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Over 40 human rights lawyers of South Asian descent living in the US have written an open letter to US President Joseph Biden, prompting him to take note of the farmers’ protests and the escalating Hindutva nationalism taken up by the Centre.

"Your administration comes to office at a time when minority communities across India are in peril," the letter says, calling the attention of the President.   

The letter expressed grave concerns highlighting that the Narendra Modi-led government has been repressing peaceful protests by police brutality where either they stood by as plain-clothed assailants and assaulted protesters or stood as bystanders with rioting mobs. 

Citing detailed examples of sustained harassment of critics and minority communities, the lawyers had collectively urged Biden to act in his capacity to denounce, condemn and raise the issues at the United Nations.

The statement goes on to elaborate on how the Narendra Modi government has massively repressed dissent in various ways including internet shutdowns, limiting social media reach and removing social media accounts that are critical of the government. The letter also points out that India leads the world in internet shutdowns by a wide margin. 

"21 activists who protested against CAA have been in custody for more than a year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and have repeatedly been denied bail."  The letter shared anxieties of justice delivery as authorities have coerced detainees to lie about the anti-Muslim pogrom in Delhi and wrongfully implicate human rights defenders.

The statement as shared by 'The Wire' noted that there is a general fear in India today that any type of criticism can lead to arbitrary detention or worse. Munawar Faruqui, a 30 year old Muslim comic, was arrested based on a Hindu nationalist's complaint  accusing him of crackingg jokes that would “wound religious feelings” of Hindus. 

"The BJP and Prime Minister Modi want to create a Hindu state, where Hindus enjoy a privileged status, and minorities, especially Muslims and Dalits, are second-class citizens. The long arm of Hindutva nationalism has extended to the United States as well, where they are attempting to rewrite descriptions of Hinduism in textbooks, fund university endowments, influence overseas elections, and malign and intimidate activists and influencers who support the farmers", the letter elaborated how secularism and democracy are under threat.