A day after India expressed strong objections to comments made by the US State Department regarding the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the United Nations has weighed in, stating its hope that everyone’s rights, including political and civil rights, are protected and that everyone can vote in a free and fair atmosphere.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, responded to a query on reports of political unrest in India, saying, “We very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier objected to the US State Department spokesperson’s remarks on Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, dismissing them as ‘unwarranted’. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law.”
Jaiswal emphasized the importance of mutual respect and understanding in international relations, stating, “Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and States are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others.”
Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller had commented on India’s summoning of a US diplomat over the remarks on Kejriwal’s arrest, stating, “We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections.”
India had also summoned the German Deputy Chief of Mission to protest against the German foreign office spokesperson’s remarks on Kejriwal’s arrest. Last Friday, the German Foreign Ministry spokesperson had said that Kejriwal was entitled to a fair trial, prompting India to see these remarks as interference in its judicial process and undermining the independence of the Indian judiciary.
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.