US lawmakers urge Marco Rubio to raise human rights concerns with India

A group of US lawmakers, including Representatives Pramila Jayapal and James P. McGovern, has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address human rights and freedom of expression during upcoming engagements with Indian officials.

In a letter signed by six members of Congress, the lawmakers highlighted concerns regarding student protests following the leak and cancellation of a national medical college entrance examination. They also pointed to demonstrations related to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, noting concerns raised by UN human rights experts regarding the transparency of the process.

The lawmakers emphasized that as the world’s largest democracies, the US and India have an obligation to defend the rights to freedom of assembly and expression. This push comes despite India characterizing these matters as internal issues.