Last update: Mar 28, 2023, 03:05am IST
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified in criminal defamation case for his comment on the ‘surname Modi’. (Image: PTI Photo)
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified a day after his conviction in a libel case by a Surat court which also handed him a two-year sentence.
The United States is watching the ongoing court cases of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a US State Department spokesman said Monday after the disqualification of MP Wayanad following conviction in a libel case by a court from Surat.
“Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is the cornerstone of any democracy, and we are watching Mr. Gandhi’s case in the Indian courts,” chief deputy spokesman for the state, Vedant Patel, said during a press conference. in washington.
Patel was responding to a question about the expulsion of the Congress leader from the Indian Parliament in the wake of the upcoming “Democracy Summit” this week.
Rahul Gandhi, a Lok Sabha (MP) member from Wayanad, Kerala, was disqualified on March 24 in the criminal defamation case for his ‘surname Modi’ remark.
He was disqualified a day after his conviction in a libel case by a Surat court, which also handed him a two-year sentence.
The State Department spokesman said the Biden administration engages with the Indian government in a shared commitment to democratic values, including, of course, freedom of expression.
“The United States engages with the Indian government in our shared commitment to democratic values, including, of course, freedom of expression in our engagements with our Indian partners,” he added.
“We continue to stress the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as key to strengthening our two democracies,” said Vedant Patel.
Opposition parties intensified their offensive against the government and celebrated a “black day for democracy” on Monday, three days later. Raul Gandhi he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha.
(With PTI inputs)
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