India Slams Pramila Jayapal’s SIR Remarks As ‘Unacceptable Interference’ in Internal Affairs
India is a vibrant democracy, with robust, independent constitutional institutions and a longstanding record of free and fair elections.
New Delhi: India has slammed United States Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's remarks questioning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls terming her statement as an "unacceptable interference" in New Delhi's "internal affairs". The Indian government said her remarks were “unwarranted and uninformed” and tantamount to interfering in the electoral practices of a fellow democracy.
India's ambassador to the US, Mr Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said India is a vibrant democracy with robust, independent constitutional institutions. The remarks came a day after Democratic leader Jayapal voiced concern over the "purge" of 130 million voter names from India's draft electoral rolls.
“The remarks by @RepJayapal (Pramila Jayapal) on India’s electoral and political processes are unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs. India is a vibrant democracy, with robust, independent constitutional institutions and a longstanding record of free and fair elections. Always open to constructive conversation with the Congresswoman to dispel her misconceptions,” said the Indian envoy.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Mr Randhir Jaiswal said, “We find the remarks unwarranted and uninformed and tantamount to interfering in the electoral practices of a fellow democracy. This is an approach that undermines democracy itself.”