CPI Member of Parliament Binoy Viswam said he would boycott the R-Day 2020 parade in protest against the invitation to Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro as its Chief Guest. “It is astonishing that you have welcomed a leader whose ideology and policies are tarnished by bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and discrimination,” Mr Viswam said in his letter. President Bolsonaro's actions were directly in conflict with ethos of the Indian Constitution, he alleged. Mr. Viswam said it was sad that the government had forgotten President Bolsonaro's demand at the WTO. “His actions are a direct threat to the livelihood of over 5 crore sugarcane farming families in India and your invitation to him signals a complete disregard for your own citizens and their plight.”

Source: The Hindu January 24, 2020 15:11 UTC