Modi pleaded me to put in good word for him with US govt after Gujarat Riots: Subramanian Swamy
New Delhi: In a recent tweet on Wednesday, Subramanian Swamy, an Indian politician and former Member of Parliament, made a significant claim regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Swamy stated that Modi had pleaded with him to put in a good word, as there were concerns that the United States might approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the Gujarat riots.
Swamy shared a picture of himself with former US President Barack Obama and captioned it “Lest Modi forgets, I remind that he pleaded with me that I put in a good word since US may move the ICC on Gujarat riots.”
The tweet by Swamy has attracted attention and sparked discussions due to the context it implies. The Gujarat riots, which occurred in 2002, were a series of communal violence incidents in the state of Gujarat, resulting in widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement. The riots, which primarily targeted the Muslim community, drew international attention and criticism.
Swamy's statement suggests that during that time, Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time of the riots, sought Swamy's assistance in potentially mitigating any actions that the United States might take against him at the ICJ. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and handles disputes between states.
Following the Gujarat riots of 2002, concerns were raised about Modi's alleged role in the violence and his government's handling of the situation. The United States, along with several other countries, took a stance against Modi and decided to deny him entry into the country.
In 2005, the US State Department revoked Modi's existing tourist/business visa under a provision of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which bars entry to foreign government officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom. This decision came as a response to the allegations of human rights violations during the Gujarat riots.
The visa ban remained in effect for nearly a decade, during which Modi was unable to visit the United States. However, after he became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, the situation changed. In 2014, the US government, under President Barack Obama, lifted the visa ban and welcomed Modi to visit the United States.
Lest Modi forgets, I remind that he pleaded with me that I put in a good word since US may move the ICC on Gujarat riots. pic.twitter.com/a2iEoi5Ozh
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 31, 2023
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
