India blocks over 100 speakers from Congress democracy summit

NEW DELHI, Nov 13: India blocked more than 100 international speakers from attending a democracy summit organised by the opposition Congress party, a senior opposition politician said on Friday.
Those denied visas included a Norwegian journalist who had previously questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about press freedom.

Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP and former senior United Nations official, said 115 of the 315 speakers cleared by India's foreign ministry were subsequently refused entry or had their visas cancelled, "apparently on the instructions" of the home ministry.

"It is completely unclear under what provision of law the government has taken such a drastic step," Tharoor wrote on X.

"What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!" he added.

Asked about the apparent denials, a foreign ministry spokesperson said "visa matters are sovereign functions of any country or any government".�" AFP