India is a “vibrant” democracy and does not need any validation or “certificate,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here on Friday. This rebuttal came in the backdrop of former Vice President Hamid Ansari and four US lawmakers airing concern over human rights situation in the country.
Making India’s stand clear, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here said India is a vibrant democracy, which does not require certification from others, and the track record of the event's organisers was as well known as the biases and political interests of the participants.
Asked about the virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian American Muslim Council on Wednesday during which Ansari and the US lawmakers expressed concern over the current human rights situation in India, Bagchi said, "We have seen reports on this event. India is a robust and vibrant democracy. It does not require certification from others."
The claim that others need to protect our constitution is "presumptuous and preposterous", he said. "The track record of event organisers is as well known as the biases and political interests of the participants," Bagchi said.