- Monday, March 03, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The issue of disqualification of Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the country’s parliament following his conviction in a defamation case saw a new controversy erupting on Thursday (30) after Germany said that “fundamental democratic principles” should apply in the case of the former.
In a press briefing the same day, the European nation’s foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against the Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict.
“It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis.”
The spokesperson also said that Germany expects that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” will apply in the case.
Earlier this week, the US said that it was watching the case and that it continues to engage 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,” US department of state principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
Indian law minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Germany’s remarks saying India will not tolerate foreign interference in its internal matters.
“Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri Narendra Modi Ji (sic),” he said in a tweet.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) further launched a scathing attack on the Congress after its veteran leader Digvijaya Singh thanked the German foreign ministry for “taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through persecution of Rahul Gandhi”.
Thank you Germany Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker @rbsw for taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through persecution of @RahulGandhi https://t.co/CNy6fPkBi3
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) March 30, 2023
The saffron party accused the opposition party of inviting foreign powers to interfere in India’s domestic affairs. India’s information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakue and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also accused the Congress of wanting foreign interference in India’s own matters.
The BJP had also accused Gandhi of inviting foreign powers when he criticised the Modi government during his speeches made in the UK a few weeks ago.
