Ashish Ranjan
US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated on Monday (local time) that the US is monitoring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s case in Indian courts and that the US and Indian governments share a commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression.
“Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence are cornerstones of any democracy,” he said in a press briefing in response to a query about Rahul Gandhi’s expulsion from the Indian Parliament.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Lok Sabha (MP) on Friday, effective from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case involving his ‘Modi surname’ comment. Rahul Gandhi was a representative from Kerala’s Wayanad constituency.
“The United States engages with the government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values, which of course includes freedom of expression,” he added.
Vedant Patel stated, “We continue to emphasize the significance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as the key to strengthening both of our democracies.”
When asked whether the US is 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.”
The development comes after a Surat court sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to two years in prison on Thursday in a defamation case involving his ‘Modi surname’ remark made in 2019 during a Karnataka election rally.
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In April 2019, during a Lok Sabha election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi remarked, “How come all the thieves have Modi as their common surname?” The criminal defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Purnesh Modi, an MLA for the BJP from Surat West.
