As protests over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification intensifies, the US has reacted, stating that they "were watching Mr Gandhi's case in Indian courts."
On the Congress leader's expulsion from the Parliament, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the US engages with the Indian government on a shared commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression. "Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we're watching Mr Gandhi's (Rahul Gandhi) case in Indian courts," Patel said on Monday.
"We continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression as a key to strengthening both our democracies," Vedant Patel said.
On whether the US was engaging with India or Rahul Gandhi, he said: "I don't have any specific engagements to read out... but as I am sure you know some of these covered this department for some time it is normal and standard for us to engage with members of opposition parties in any country where we have bilateral relationships, but I don't have any specific engagement to read out."
#WATCH | "Respect for rule of law & judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy. We’re watching Mr Gandhi’s case in Indian court .... ":Vedant Patel, US Principal Dy Spokesperson on defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over his 'Modi surname' remark pic.twitter.com/WFUaAcBWd0
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2023
Attack on Indian Embassy
The US has also condemned the recent attacks on Indian diplomatic facilities in the US by pro-Khalistan activists. Last Saturday, pro-Khalistan supporters in the US threatened the Indian embassy and Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
During his speech outside the embassy, a protestor threatened Sandhu that his "hypocrisy" would come to an end and the Ambassador could face a similar fate to what former president of India Zail Singh faced back in 1994.
"Violence or the threat of violence against diplomatic facilities and personnel in the United States is a grave concern and will not be tolerated," US Department of State spokesperson told ANI.
"The Department supports the First Amendment rights of protestors in the United States to engage in free speech. However, violence, or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of protest," the spokesperson added.
India had strongly protested against the speech, and the State Department is reportedly in touch with local law enforcement on the next steps.
The spokesperson also condemned the incident in which an Indian journalist was abused by Khalistani supporters. According to the US Department of State spokesperson, attacks against journalists are never acceptable. "We condemn any incidence of violence against a member of the media for doing their job, and any act of vandalism against diplomatic facilities," he added.
The Washington DC-based Indian journalist was covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian Embassy when he was physically attacked and verbally abused by Khalistan supporters.
