New Delhi: A German foreign ministry spokesperson has said that nation has taken note of the court verdict against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his suspension from parliament – leading to a response from Union law minister Kiren Rijiju and a counter-response from the Congress.
Germany is India’s largest trade partner in Europe and the largest economy in the European Union.
Gandhi was recently convicted in a criminal defamation case by a Surat court over a 2019 speech, where he took digs at economic offenders Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A day later, Gandhi was suspended from the Lok Sabha, where he represents Wayanad.
The spokesperson has said that Germany expects “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” to apply in the case of Rahul Gandhi, according to subtitles provided by the country’s public broadcaster, DW.
“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,” she said.
She added that it will “become clear”, upon appeal, whether the verdict will stand and “whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis.”
The spokesperson has said that Germany expects “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” to apply in the case of Rahul Gandhi, according to subtitles provided by the country’s public broadcaster, DW.
“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,” she said.
She added that it will “become clear”, upon appeal, whether the verdict will stand and “whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis.”
“Put questions to all elected govts, let’s discuss & debate on all issues. But don’t abuse Indian democracy & Indian Institutions. Congress Party is angry with the people of India but why tarnishing our nation’s image by insulting our vibrant democracy & it’s robust Judiciary,” he then tweeted.
Rijiju’s initial tweet had an image of Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh’s tweet thanking Germany’s foreign ministry and the DW international editor Richard Walker for taking note of Gandhi’s suspension.
Congress’s Pawan Khera has in turn accused Rijiju of “diverting from the main issue.”
This article was first published by The Wire
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