The Hindu·3 min read·medium

Shashi Tharoor alleges 115 Bharat Summit speakers were denied entry into India, or their visas were cancelled

R
R. Ravikanth Reddy
Shashi Tharoor alleges 115 Bharat Summit speakers were denied entry into India, or their visas were cancelled
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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has alleged that the Indian government blocked 115 international speakers from attending the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad by denying or cancelling their visas. The government has not provided a clear legal justification for these actions, leading to criticism regarding the suppression of dissenting voices.

Why it matters

The incident highlights growing tensions regarding freedom of speech and the government's control over international discourse within India.

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HYDERABAD Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has alleged that 115 of the 315 speakers invited to the second edition of the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad were denied entry into India or had their visas cancelled, “apparently on the instructions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs”. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/bharat-summit-takes-off-in-hyderabad-today-rahul-gandhi-to-participate-in-valedictory/article71694796.ece Mr. Tharoor, who is in Hyderabad for the Bharat Summit, in a post on social media platforms, questioned the legal basis for the action and said it was unclear under which provision of law the government had taken such a step. He pointed out that the summit would conclude on Saturday (November 14, 2026), making it impossible to reverse the decision in time for the affected participants to attend. “What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!” he wrote.

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India Defends Visa Denials for Speakers Attending Bharat Summit

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