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Opposition raises US hate crime issue in Lok Sabha, government says statement will be made in House

The matter was raised on Thursday in Lok Sabha during zero hour by MPs from Congress, Left, TMC, BJD, AIADMK and TRS, after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected their adjournment notices.

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TMC members holding posters condemning hate crimes faced by Indians in the US
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After Opposition expressed concern over hate crimes against Indians in the US questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'silence' on the issue, the government said it had taken serious note of the incidents.

The matter was raised on Thursday in Lok Sabha during zero hour by MPs from Congress, Left, TMC, BJD, AIADMK and TRS, after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected their adjournment notices. The MPs asked the government to spell out their stand on the issue.

Later, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government will make a statement in Parliament next week.

Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said the attacks on Indians in the US were 'deeply disturbing', and that the government had failed to raise the issue with Washington or condemn them. "Why has the Modi government maintained a silence. The Prime Minister tweets on every issue. Why has he kept quiet over such a serious matter," he said. Kharge said such crimes had increased after the new US President took over.

Further, he said Modi was seen "hugging foreign leaders and sitting on a swing with the Chinese President".

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy also accused the government of silence on the issue and asked it to stand up and fight against the hate campaign in the US. "It is strange that our voluble, articulate Prime Minister is keeping silent," he said.

BJD's B Mahtab said the government should come out with an advisory for Indian origin people living in the US, the same way as Washington put out a travel advisory warning citizens against visiting India. "How can there be hatred against someone because of their skin colour in this century?" he asked.

CPI(M) MP Mohammad Salim said government should take up the matter with the highest authorities and ensure including clauses, when discussing defence deals with the US, that will compel them to come to the discussion table to address these issues.

M Thambidurai of AIADMK said uncertainty has been prevailing among Indians abroad and government should take steps so that they feel safe.

Hate crimes have claimed two lives—Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas and Harnish Patel in South Carolina.

Assuring the House that steps will be taken to ensure that Indians are safe, Rajnath Singh said the government viewed the concern seriously. He said the government will issue a detailed statement on the issue next week.

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