Modi supporters in US launch signature campaign

Supporters of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the US have launched a signature campaign against denial of visa to him.

Friends and supporters of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the US have launched a signature campaign against the Bush administration's decision to deny him a visa.

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The Indian Americans for Democracy and Justice and Association of Indian American for North America have not only launched an online petition campaign but they are also requesting Modi's supporters and friends to sign the petition at public functions and community get-togethers.

So far over 1,300 people have signed the online petition and an equal number have signed at various community get-togethers. One such signature campaign was held on the occasion of Holi this weekend at San Jose.

The petition is addressed to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and a copy of it would be submitted to the White House, said Gaurang Desai of the Friends of India Society who helped organise the petition.

Claiming that Modi "is a proven and effective statesman", signatories to the petition express their "solidarity" with the Gujarat chief minister and "disappointment" with the decision of the US government to revoke his visa.

"By denying visa to Modi, the (Bush) administration has set a wrong precedent. We have to set the records straight," Desai said adding that such a decision was taken under the influence of Muslims and communists.

"As grounds for denial, the US has listed religious intolerance and Modi's complicity in the 2002 racial riots in Gujarat - charges that have not been proven under any judicial system," the petition claimed.

Modi's diplomatic visa was denied and his tourist and business visa was revoked this month for "severe violations of religious freedom".

Modi was invited to address a conference of Asian American Hotel Owners Association at Florida last week.