Expressing concern over the incidents of rioting in Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. “Deeply concerned about the news of rioting and vandalism against the State institutions in Brasilia. Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. We extend our full support to the Brazilian authorities,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet tagging Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The supporters of far-Right leader and former President Jair Bolsonaro who refuse to accept his election defeat stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the Brazilian capital on Sunday, a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva. President Lula has condemned the riots as a “fascist” attack. Bolsonaro has denied any role in the violence and condemned the “pillaging and invasions”. Leftist leader Lula, 77, took office a week ago after beating Bolsonaro in Brazil’s bitterly divisive October elections. Bolsonaro supporters have been protesting outside army bases, calling for a military intervention to stop Lula from taking power since he defeated Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro has rejected President Lula’s “baseless” accusations that he incited the riots. Writing on Twitter, the ex-president — who left Brazil for the US state of Florida — also defended the right to “peaceful protests”.