Narendra Modi must not get visa over Gujarat riots: 25 US Congressmen to Hillary Clinton

"We respectfully request that the US government deny Mr Modi entry due to numerous reports of his involvement in horrific human rights violations in India," the lawmakers said.

"As you may know, Mr Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat during the 2002 riots that ultimately resulted in the rape of countless women and children, the destruction of homes and businesses and the loss of 2,000 lives," the Congressmen alleged.

"Non-governmental organizations have alleged that the state government in Gujarat, led by Chief Minister Modi, provided leadership and material support to the perpetrators of these horrific crimes. After their investigation of violence, Human Rights Watch stated that the 'attacks against Muslims (and other religious minorities) in Gujarat have been actively supported by state BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government officials and by the police'," the letter alleged.

Noting that in the past, the State Department has denied Modi a visa under the authority of the International Religious Freedom Act for his complicity in the riots, the lawmakers said the State Department has stated that the Gujarat government has not adequately pursued justice of the victims of the 2002 violence.

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