I would also like us to record here the name of every Presidential or Senatorial Candidate who makes any such public statement.
I do not want these names to get lost in the clutter of the "Understanding US" or "India-US Relations" threads. In fact, I would request Admins to Sticky it.
It is my hope that we will do everything possible to ensure that these individuals lose their bids for election in November 2020.
So far I have:
Ilhan Omar Democrat, Minnesota 5th District
@IlhanMN
Rep. Pramila Jayapal Democrat, Washington 7th DistrictWe should be calling for an immediate restoration of communication; respect for human rights, democratic norms, and religious freedom; and de-escalation in Kashmir.
International organizations should be allowed to fully document what is happening on the ground.
@RepJayapal
Rep. Don Beyer Democrat, Virginia 8th DistrictDeeply troubled by reports of Indian Govt's arrests of 2,000 in Kashmir. This on top of reported plans for large-scale gov't detention camps for Muslims. Using fear & hyper-patriotism to suppress dissent is as detrimental in India as it is America. (1/2) https://nyti.ms/30rhQzY
@RepDonBeyer
Very concerned about the situation in Kashmir, particularly the ongoing communications blackout. Have heard from constituents cut off from their families who are worried about what will happen to them. Despite the blackout, the world is watching. (Link to NYTimes propaganda piece follows).
Ted Lieu Democrat, California 33rd District
@tedlieu
Please add to this list.I am also hearing from constituents who cannot contact family members in Kashmir & have no idea if they're safe. Democracies like India should not be engaging in a communications blackout that has lasted over three weeks. We need de-escalation, not the hiding of what's happening. (Comment with retweet of @RepDonBeyer tweet above).
It is my understanding that Ro Khanna @RepRoKhanna, Democrat, California 17th District had initially made some kind of pro-Pakistan statement on the issue but has since walked it back, publicly affirming that he considers Kashmir an internal matter of India. Let's watch how his position evolves in future.