Bernie Sanders hits out at Trump over Delhi violence response

US Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders lashed out at President Donald Trump of failing to condemn mob violence targeting minority Muslims in India.

In a Twitter statement, Bernie Sanders said Trump’s statement regarding the violence in New Delhi during his India visit was a “failure of leadership”.

Asked about incidents of violence during his India visit, the US president had said, “As far as the individual attacks, I heard about it, but I didn’t discuss that with him (PM Modi). That’s up to India.”

Bernie Sanders tweeted, “Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying ”That’s up to India”. This is a failure of leadership on human rights.”

Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, “That’s up to India.” This is a failure of leadership on human rights.https://t.co/tUX713Bz9Y

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 26, 2020

Bernie Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi.

Apart from the Democratic presidential candidate, other influential senators too expressed concern over the developments on Wednesday.

“We are alarmed by the recent violence in New Delhi. We continue to support an open dialogue on issues of significant concern in order to advance our vital long-term relationship,” Senator Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and John Cornyn from the GOP said in a joint statement.

Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the largest country-specific caucus in the US Senate.

“We have a president who celebrates anti-Muslim hate, who is parading with an anti-Muslim nationalist as mobs loot and attack Muslims. Shame!,” US Rep. Ilham Omar tweeted.