Hyderabad (GNP): India’s government has reportedly blocked 115 international speakers from a democracy summit organized by the opposition Congress party, drawing fresh criticism over press freedom and political dissent. The dispute began after senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that 115 of 315 international speakers cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs were denied entry or had their visas canceled.
Tharoor, a Congress member of parliament and a former senior United Nations official, said the decisions appeared to follow instructions from the Home Ministry. He questioned what legal grounds could justify such wide restrictions.
He raised the issue on social media platform X on Friday. There he also said it was unclear which provision of law allowed the cancellations, and he described the step as drastic.
The case of Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has since drawn particular attention. Her visa was reportedly canceled shortly before she was due to travel to India, where she had been invited to speak on media and press freedom.
Lyng had earlier questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press briefing in Oslo in May, during his visit to Norway. The timing has raised concerns that journalists and speakers critical of the government may be discouraged from joining discussions on press freedom and democratic accountability.
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The Editors Guild of India has also weighed in. It called the visa cancellation an apparent case of “bureaucratic overreach” and urged the government to disclose its reasons and reverse the decision.
The episode is especially sensitive because the summit focuses on democracy, a subject on which India often highlights its credentials internationally. Tharoor’s criticism has sharpened questions about hosting a discussion of democratic values while limiting the participation of invited speakers.
For the opposition, the reported exclusion of more than 100 speakers adds to renewed criticism of the government’s approach to dissent, media freedom and international engagement.
Tharoor said, “What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure,” adding that it should not stifle voices it fears will be critical.
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
