Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the US decision to deny him a visa is an insult of the Indian Constitution.
Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, Modi demanded that the Union government must take up the matter with the US administration.
Also see: Modi denied visa to visit US | Denial of visa to Modi 'insult' to nation: BJP
A spokesman of the US Embassy in New Delhi said Modi has been denied diplomatic visa and his tourist/business visa already granted has also been revoked as per the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
Modi was scheduled to visit to US from March 20.
The Gujarat chief minister said his is a democratically elected government. "By denying me visa the US government has given a lie to its claims that it respects democracies," he said.
Modi wondered if one country can impose its rules and perceptions on another country. "Tomorrow if the American army chief seeks to visit India, should we look at the US track record in Iraq and deny him a visa," Modi asked.
He said no court in India or anywhere else has delivered any verdict on Godhra and the riots that followed in parts of Gujarat. "If the riots is the reason why I have been denied a visa, on what basis has this decision been taken. America must not forget that my government was elected after the riots in a free and fair election." he added.
Modi said the Union government must take the matter up with its US counterpart. "The country has been insulted. We must give a befitting reply."
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