The United States announced Friday that it was denying a diplomatic visa to an Indian Hindu nationalist politician due to his role in religious riots that took place in 2002. Narendra Modi is the leader of India's main opposition party. The embassy also pulled his existing tourist/business visa which prevents Mr. Modi from entering the United States legally.

The government of India said the decision showed a 'lack of courtesy and sensitivity' and they urged the U.S. embassy to reconsider the decision. 'This action … is uncalled for and displays lack of courtesy and sensitivity toward a constitutionally elected chief minister of a state of India,' the ministry said in a statement, expressing the government's 'deep concern and regret.'

Approximately 1,000 people were killed in the religious riots in the town of Gujarat in 2002. Most of them were Muslims. Modi and his party were accused of doing little to prevent the shootings and allegedly handled the rioters lightly in the courts.

An anonymous U.S. embassy spokesman told Reuters, that Modi was ineligible for a visa because he 'was responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom.'

Modi expressed his anger at the decision. 'I have been to Australia, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore, nowhere did I face such a situation and this move of the U.S. government is unacceptable and illogical,' Modi told reporters. He added, 'Meting out this kind of treatment to an elected government is against democracy.'

While the Indian government was angry at the decision, Muslim groups applauded it. In fact, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) had lobbied for Modi's visa denial.

'This case demonstrates what can be accomplished when Muslim, human rights and minority groups work together for a common purpose,' CAIR executive director Nihad Awad said in a statement.