Wednesday , during a press briefing, Vedant Patel stated that the elections in Myanmar cannot be deemed “free and fair” without the participation of all parties involved. In response to a query about the Myanmar military’s decision to dissolve political parties, including the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, he made these remarks. (NLD).

“We firmly condemn the decision by the Burmese military regime to abolish forty political parties, including, as you noted, the National League of Democracy. Any election held in Burma without the participation of all stakeholders would not be free or fair, according to Vedant Patel.

“And given the widespread opposition to military rule, it is probable that the regime’s unilateral push for elections will exacerbate instability. He added that we continue to support the efforts of all those striving to establish a genuine and inclusive democracy in Burma.

In response to a question about upcoming elections that the Myanmar army plans to hold, Vedant Patel stated, “If you remove the ability of 40 parties to participate in those elections, essentially holding elections without the participation of all of the relevant stakeholders, then yes, that would not be considered a free and fair election. Given, as I’ve stated, the opposition of the people and public to military rule, the regime’s unilateral drive towards elections will sadly lead to increased instability.”

Media reported, that Myanmar’s military-controlled election commission said Aung San Suu Kyi’s party will be dissolved for neglecting to re-register under a new electoral law.

Media reported, that the National League for Democracy (NLD) was among 40 political parties that failed to satisfy the ruling military’s election registration deadline.

In early January, the Myanmar military gave political parties two months to register under a strict new electoral law before promising to conduct new elections. The opponents, however, have stated that the elections will neither be free nor impartial. The NLD has stated that it will not participate in the elections and has deemed them illegitimate.

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In November 2020, the NLD won the parliamentary elections in Myanmar. However, the Myanmar military staged a coup less than three months later and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi. She is currently serving a penitentiary sentence of 33 years. According to the news report, Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted in a series of politically motivated military prosecutions.

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“We condemn the recent violent incidents that occurred during protests at Indian diplomatic facilities in the United States,” said Vedant Patel when asked about the Indian American community in the United States living in fear of a few elements, or Khalistani elements, particularly in San Francisco.

“As you can see, we support the First Amendment rights of demonstrators and free speech activities. However, violence or the threat of violence is never a permissible form of protest,” he added at a press conference.

Vedant Patel stated that the United States Department of State is devoted to taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic facilities and personnel.

Vedant Patel stated, “In accordance with our obligations under the Vienna Convention, the Department is committed to taking all appropriate measures, including coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, to protect the safety and security of these facilities and the diplomats who work within them.”

The extremists attacked the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on March 20, a day after Khalistani supporters removed the Indian national flag from the Indian High Commission in London. In the videos uploaded to social media, supporters can be seen attempting to storm the office, breaking down doors, and chanting slogans. The males are visible carrying Khalistani flags.

US says assault on journalist ‘unacceptable’

On March 26, pro-Khalistani protestors heckled and verbally harassed an on-duty Indian journalist, Lalit Jha, outside the Indian embassy in Washington. Lalit Jha claimed he was physically assaulted and verbally harassed while covering Saturday afternoon protests outside the Indian embassy in Washington.

When asked about the assault on Jha, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel stated that attacks against journalists are “never acceptable.” He stated that the United States condemns any act of violence against a journalist.

Vedant Patel stated, “Attacks against journalists are never acceptable, and we condemn any incidents of violence against a journalist doing their job, as well as any act of violence or vandalism against a diplomatic facility.”

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Outside the Indian Embassy in the United States, hundreds of Khalistan supporters congregated. The organizers used microphones to deliver anti-India speeches in both English and Punjabi and to accuse the Punjab Police of human rights abuses.

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