Bangalore: Joe Walsh, a United States lawmaker and Congressman has launched a campaign to fight against the denial of U.S. visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Walsh wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to "consider granting a diplomatic visa to Chief Minister Narendra Modi of the Indian State of Gujarat’’, reports Aziz Haniffa of Rediff.

Walsh mentioned that Modi was refused a diplomatic visa to visit America in the year 2005, which according to a state diplomat official is because of the rules which come under  "Section 212 (a)(2)(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act."As per U.S. laws, if the state department believes that a foreign government official is responsible for involving in violations of religious freedom, they will be forbidden entry to the country.

"It should be noted that when reading this section of law further, it specifically states that these violations cannot have occurred 24-months prior to application for a visa’’, argues Walsh.

 "The communal riots that occurred in the State of Gujarat that took place in 2002 are undeniably tragic and resulted in many deaths of innocent Indians," but noted, "This region has worked for years now to bring to justice those that committed serious crimes and many strides have been seen towards reconciliation among Muslims and Hindus in the region’’, Walsh informed Clinton.

"Ten years have passed since the violence in Gujarat and much progress has been made. Modi has been recognized across the world for establishing Gujarat as the most business-friendly state in India and is widely believed to be a serious contender for the 2014 election for Indian Prime Minister," he added.

Moreover, he also said that "It is time the state department reconsiders permitting Modi into the US."I appreciate you looking into this matter and hope you will take full consideration of this request to reconsider granting Modi entry into the US."

Tarun Surti, a communist activist and supporter of Modi in U.S. has recently contacted the Asian American Association of Hotel Owners (AAHOA) to invite Modi keynote AAHOA's annual convention which is going to be held in the month of May. They have also approached many lawmakers in U.S. asking them to permit Modi to U.S.

Surti has also called for a "nationwide media campaign in the US to promote the good work Shri Narendra Modi has done and correct the misconception in the media that he is a murderer and anti-Muslim."

"The US law is clear that states or government officials responsible for carrying out serious violations of religious freedom are ineligible for a visa", says the State department.