Lawsuit filed to block Modi's reception in Silicon Valley

A US-based Sikh rights group has filed a lawsuit in a court in California seeking to block the public address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Silicon Valley on September 27.

The lawsuit filed by Sikh For Justice (SFJ) alleging forcible conversions in India claims that the public reception for Modi would be used as an occasion to incite violence particularly forced religious conversions.

Following the lawsuit, the California court issued summons against "Indo American Community of West Cost" – the organiser of the mega event -- "San Jose Arena Management LLC" and "The San Jose Arena Authority" for a written response to the allegations of the plaintiffs.

The two alleged victims of the complaint are Michael Masih and Hashim Ali on whose behalf Sikh for Justice has filed the lawsuit. In the past few years, Sikh for Justice has filed a number of lawsuits against top Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and actor Amitabh Bachchhan.