Minorities in India: Here’s what some UK MP’s had to say in Parliament

The UK Parliament witnessed fiery debate over persecution of minorities in India. MP Jim Shannon called on the UK government “to ensure that robust human rights provisions are included in any future trade and investment agreement.” Labour MP Barry Gardiner, however, said that India might not regard intervention from the UK as either welcome or appropriate. Gardiner said, “Imagine if there had been debates in the Indian Parliament on the troubles in Northern Ireland, accusing the British Government of persecuting the Catholic minority. If legislators in India were to pronounce on our institutions from afar, putting us under the microscope in the same way that colleagues are doing for their Indian counterparts today.” Theresa Villiers cited examples of Pakistan and China and said, “I do not accept that there is evidence of systemic or state-sponsored persecution of religious minorities”. Theresa Villiers further praised the Modi Govt for the reform works undertaken during his term.