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Germany has said that “fundamental democratic principles” should apply in the case of Rahul Gandhi, who has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha after his conviction in a defamation case.
“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,” Germany’s foreign ministry spokesperson said during a press briefing.
“It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” she added.
The spokesperson said that Germany expects that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” will apply in the the case.
Reacting to the Germany’s remark, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted Thank you German Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker for taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through the 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
During a press briefing that was aired on German state-owned international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), a German ministry spokesperson stated that her country “expects that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will apply in the case.”
“We have taken note of the verdict of the 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,” she is heard saying in the clip of the briefing shared on Twitter by Richard Walkar the Chief International Editor of DW.
Earlier this week, the US said that it is watching the Rahul Gandhi case and they continue to engage with the Indian government on a shared commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified last week as a Member of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. Rahul Gandhi was an MP from Wayanad in Kerala.
Soon after Germany’s comment, In a counter , Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted, “Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference,”
Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s 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 @narendramodi Ji 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/xHzGRzOYTz
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 30, 2023
