Chicago City Council rejects anti-India resolution
- In Current Affairs
- 01:14 PM, Mar 26, 2021
- Nishant Limbachia
On March 24, Chicago City Council took up voting on Resolution 2020-583 titled “Recognition of India's 72nd anniversary of Republic Day and call for condemnation of violence against certain castes and faith groups”. The resolution, originally proposed by Maria Elaine Hadden, Independent (affiliated with Democratic Party) Alderwoman from 49th Ward of Chicago back in July 2020, was defeated by 26-18 votes in the City Council.
Original text of the resolution ticks all the boxes of anti-India propaganda that is routinely and remorselessly peddled by Western press, academia and organizations, like Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Indian American Muslim Council (IAMCouncil). Ever since Narendra Modi was democratically elected as Prime Minister of India, the same cast of characters routinely label Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Fascist/Extremist and surprisingly the same language makes its way into this resolution as well. The irony is that Islamic organizations like CAIR urged their followers to mobilize in favor of the resolution saying “Stop Genocide in India” and tagged Pakistan. The same Pakistan that routinely disappears its Baloch, Pashtun and Sindhi citizens carrying peaceful protest. The same Pakistan where the population of Hindus have dwindled considerably since India’s partition (1947) due to religious persecution.
In 2019, Indian Parliament passed CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) that provides fast-tracked citizenship to religiously persecuted minorities from India’s three Islamic neighbors (Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan). CAA is a positive act that provides a path to Citizenship to these refugees who are already living in India as of December 31, 2014.
Interestingly, the City Council’s resolution also mentions India as a home to Jewish and Zoroastrian (Parsi) communities. Maria Hadden and her co-sponsors may not know that Jews and Parsis were the first religiously persecuted communities to seek shelter in India. India not only gave them shelter but treated them with dignity, a unique example for tolerance and fairness.
Resolution also mentions, and I quote, “Modi regime's repressive and prejudiced policies are inconsistent with Chicago's values as a welcoming and inclusive city”. City Council may not be aware of the persecution of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians in Pakistan; it may not be aware of the daily kidnappings and forcible conversions of Hindu girls into Islam in Pakistan. Perhaps the City Council would like to take up a resolution condemning such actions that are definitely not in line with Chicago’s values.
Resolutions such as this have real-world consequences for Indian-Americans living in the Chicagoland area and rest of the country. The language used in the legislation not only puts the physical safety of Indian-Americans and their children in jeopardy; it encourages mistrust and friction between Americans of various nationalities that call this country their home.
Finally, the resolution highlights a troubling mindset developing in the City Council where a democratic and sovereign country like India is expected to pass Chicago City Council’s parameters of Democracy. The City of Chicago has rampant crime and a host of other issues including COVID-19 that do not get enough attention because sponsors of this City Council resolution decided to focus their attention on issues outside of their wards.
For twin reasons of combating this negative stereotyping of Indian-Americans, Hindus in particular, and to avoid real-world consequences for the community living here, the local Indian-American community mounted a spirited campaign to defeat this resolution. Indian-Americans from all walks of life, personally approached each Alderman/Alderwoman to appraise them on the facts. Each point mentioned in the resolution was rebutted. Various Indian-American community groups made calls and sent emails to the offices of all 50 Alders. Indian-Americans active on Social Media created a campaign to bring facts directly to the City Council members. Even outside organizations, individuals stepped up to help the Indian-American community in getting their points across to the Alders.
The defeat of this resolution brings a sense of relief and cautious optimism amongst the Indian-American community. There is no doubt that such resolutions will be continually brought by vested interests not only in Chicago but other city councils around the country. The way forward for Indian-American community is more engagement with their local elected officials. With pulse on the ground and grassroots organizing, Indian-American community can certainly defeat such bigoted and divisive resolutions.
I would personally like to send my gratitude to the 26 City Council members who gave a fair and patient hearing to the Indian-Americans and made the right decision to reject this resolution.
Image Source: NewsIndia Times https://www.newsindiatimes.com/chicagos-foreign-policy/
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