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IOC USA slams exclusion of Opposition from Putin dinner
The vice-chairman of IOCUSA noted that previous leaders, including Vajpayee, had adhered to the practice of inviting Opposition leaders to meet visiting heads of state.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 11, Dec 2025
- 15:48 EST
- 10
Logo of Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA / Courtesy: (IOC) USA/Facebook
The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA has criticized the Indian government’s decision to exclude the leaders of the Indian Opposition from the state dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it undermines long-standing democratic conventions.
George Abraham, vice-chairman of IOC USA, expressed strong disapproval over the absence of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from the official engagement.
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“There is little surprise anymore in how the Modi Administration continues to undermine the democratic traditions of our great country,” Abraham said, adding that the government was “rewriting the script, upending long-standing conventions, and dismantling the vision laid down by the founding fathers of modern India.”
He noted that previous leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had adhered to the practice of inviting Opposition leaders to meet visiting heads of state.
Abraham said the Indian National Congress remains a national party with substantial public support. “Even with all of the BJP’s political success, they have secured the votes of barely 40 percent of the electorate. The remaining majority represents diverse voices that also deserve respect and representation,” he said.
He also criticized what he described as a broader pattern of avoiding parliamentary scrutiny, referencing legislation passed without committee review and controversies such as the recent ‘Vande Mataram’ debate.
According to Abraham, such episodes “perfectly illustrate the misplaced priorities of this administration—wasting parliamentary time while the nation grapples with pressing issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the urgent need for rural development.”
Abraham said the country’s political trajectory shows an erosion of the democratic values associated with Gandhi, Nehru, and Ambedkar. “What we are witnessing is an authoritarian agenda that seeks to weaken institutions, intimidate the press, and promote crony capitalism under the guise of ultra-nationalism,” he said.
He concluded by urging citizens to reflect on the nation’s direction. “It is time for the nation to pause, self-examine, and return to the foundational principles that built our democracy—pluralism, transparency, and respect for dissent.”
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