MEA Denies Rajya Sabha MP Permission To Attend Anti-Fascism Meet In Venezuela (image- facebook/ V Sivadasan)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had denied permission to Rajya Sabha MP V Sivadasan to attend an event “World Parliamentary Forum against Fascism” organized by the Venezuelan government.
Sivadasan wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday protesting against the decision denying permission to attend the event in which 300 MPs from across the world are expected to participate. The event is scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Caracas.
Read also: Celebrities, Filmmakers, Journalists Grieve Death Of Ace Fashion Designer Rohit Bal
The permission was denied despite the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) giving the nod after the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance.
The MP in his letter said that the FCRA clearance shows that the government has no other concerns. However, without citing any reasons, the MEA said the clearance from the political angle was declined.
In the invitation letter sent to the MEA last month, Vice President of Venezuela, Pedro Infante extended gratitude to the Indian government for facilitating travel to V Sivadasan for the event.
Why is the Modi govt and BJP feeling threatened by a forum against fascism? pic.twitter.com/4QAOV0o2UE
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) November 2, 2024
The Rajya Sabha MP registering his protest against the ministry’s move, wrote in his letter that he was taken aback by the denial of his participation in the Parliamentary Forum Against Fascism and it was an attack on his rights.
It came as a surprise to the MP as he wrote in the letter that India and Venezuela had shared a good relationship and are a part of many multi-lateral platforms, including the recently formed International Solar Alliance, which was formed at the initiative of India, the CPI(MP) pointed out in the letter. India and Venezuela are members of the Non-Aligned Movement too, he said.
The MP also added that the event is a gathering of parliamentarians from various countries, invited by the Parliament of Venezuela to share their views on one of the important threats in the present global political situation.
Read also: Arvind Sawant Apologises For Sexist Remark Against Shiv Sena Leader Shaina NC
“The growth of far-right and neo-fascist parties across the world is recognised by many democracies as a threat to the social fabric. Many governments and parties, concerned about democracy are coming together to fight this threat. I wanted to join these efforts and strengthen such an initiative. Representing the Left political thought and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) this was an opportunity for me to place my views on the subject and strengthen the struggle against the far-right, neo-fascist threat,” he wrote.
