NEW DELHI:
India on Thursday rebuffed a US State Department report alleging human rights abuses, stating the report is “deeply biased and reflects a poor understanding” of the largest democracy in the world.
When asked about the recently released State Department report during a weekly media briefing, Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This report is deeply biased and reflects a poor understanding of India. We attach no value to it and urge you to do the same.”
‘Human rights assessment’
This response comes a few days after the State Department’s annual human rights assessment alleged “numerous instances” in which the government and its allies “allegedly pressured or harassed media outlets critical of the government.” On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised the West over unfair criticism of India, saying that they act as “political players” in the country’s elections.
“I get a lot of noises from the Western press. If they criticise our democracy, it’s not because they lack information, it is because they think they are also political players in our election,” the minister said, while delivering an address on “Foreign Policy the India Way: From Diffidence to Confidence” in Hyderabad.
“I read an article today where some Western media said, it is so hot in India, why are they holding elections at this time? I read that article and I wanted to say, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best record,” he said, adding “These are the games that are being played with” India.”
