Just hours after landing in India, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson found himself in the midst of controversy.
Johnson raised his eyebrows after jumping on an excavator and waving to the media at the factory of British construction giant JCB during his visit.
The prime minister has since been called “deaf-mute” amid protests over the destruction of mostly Muslim homes in the country with the help of the company’s bulldozers, India Today reported.
Johnson arrived in India on Thursday, just a day after Delhi officials ordered JCB bulldozers to destroy properties owned by predominantly Muslim residents.
The trial sparked a public outcry, as many disputed the unfortunate timing of Johnson’s visit to the JCB factory.
Photos shared online show the British prime minister smiling as he landed on a JCB bulldozer.
Boris Johnson poses with sadhus or Hindu holy men in front of Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Gandinagar on April 21, 2022. AP Boris Johnson scattered rose petals during his visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple on April 21, 2022 in Gandhinagar India. Getty Images
Johnson was criticized by Amnesty India, which called his visit “not only ignorant, but his silence about the incident is deafening.”
Johnson even appeared on the front pages of Indian publications, which also criticized his miserable time.
Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi make a gesture before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on April 22, 2022. POOL / AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson performs during a ceremony on the sacred image of Sri Nelkant Varni during his visit at Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple on April 21, 2022 POOL / AFP via Getty Images
The Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata (BJP) party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has denied allegations that the destruction is aimed primarily at Muslims.
Local authorities have disputed allegations that the demolition of homes in an area where religious riots erupted over the weekend was linked to the violence.
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