19 March 2025 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pressuring New Zealand to suppress peaceful advocacy by comparing the Khalistan Referendum movement to terrorism, despite its non-violent nature. Critics argue that India’s attempt to silence dissent abroad is part of a broader strategy to extend its authoritarian tactics globally. Modi’s leadership has been marred by allegations of extrajudicial killings and violence against minorities in India, raising concerns that New Zealand is being pressured to compromise its democratic values to appease India’s nationalist agenda. India’s Pressure on Western Nations to Suppress Protests India’s efforts to classify the peaceful Khalistan Referendum, organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), as a terrorist threat have raised eyebrows in Western democracies. The referendum, which calls for a democratic vote on Punjab’s independence, has been peacefully conducted in countries like Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia. However, India’s comparison of these peaceful protests to terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS exposes a dangerous double standard. While India pushes New Zealand to take extreme measures against peaceful Sikh advocacy, it turns a blind eye to the growing influence of Hindu extremist groups within India. These groups have been responsible for widespread violence against minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Dalits, with little accountability. Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, where over 1,000 Muslims were killed, remains a stark reminder of India’s history of religious violence. Modi was previously banned from entering the US and other Western nations for his alleged complicity in the massacre. India’s Human Rights Violations Continue Unchecked Under Modi’s leadership, India’s human rights record has deteriorated, with increasing incidents of extrajudicial killings, suppression of dissent, and crackdowns on journalists. The crackdown on the 2020 farmers’ protests and the violent targeting of minorities further highlight India’s deepening democratic crisis. Despite this, India continues to demand that Western nations, including New Zealand, crack down on peaceful dissent in the name of maintaining bilateral relations. A Dangerous Precedent for Democracies India’s pressure on Western countries to suppress peaceful movements sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that democratic nations should resort to extrajudicial measures to silence critics. New Zealand, known for its commitment to free speech and human rights, is now at a crossroads. Should New Zealand bow to India’s pressure and suppress peaceful advocacy, it risks undermining its own democratic values and legitimizing authoritarian practices. As Modi’s India seeks to export its repressive policies beyond its borders, democracies like New Zealand must stand firm in protecting the right to peaceful dissent and rejecting calls to criminalize advocacy for justice and human right.