NEW DELHI: After the US hailed peaceful protests and unhindered access to information as hallmarks of a thriving democracy, the government Thursday sought to draw an equivalence between the incidents of Republic Day violence and the Capitol Hill January 6 "insurrection" saying the former had evoked similar sentiments in India.
These incidents, said the government in a statement, were being addressed "as per our respective local laws".
Responding to the State Department remarks, reiterated later by the US embassy here, the government said that the "temporary measures" with regard to internet access in certain parts of the NCR region were "therefore understandably" undertaken to prevent further violence.
The foreign ministry statement was in response to the US State Department seemingly walking a tightrope on farmers' protests as it, while calling for dialogue and backing peaceful protests, also said that the US, in general, welcomed steps that would improve the efficiency of India's markets and attract greater private sector investment.
This was seen as support for India's farm laws, which remain at the centre of the ongoing protests by farmers, with the government saying that the US had acknowledged steps being taken by India towards agricultural reforms.
"It is important to see such comments in the context in which they were made and in their entirety," said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava. The official added that any protest must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and also the ongoing efforts by the Government and concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse. India and the United States are both vibrant democracies with shared values, he said.
India's response to the US remarks followed MEA's statement Wednesday slamming international celebrities including pop star Rihanna for their support to the protests. Significantly though, soon after the statement, US Vice President Kamala Harris' niece Meena Harris followed up her earlier tweet about Indian democracy being under assault with another remark suggesting that she was more than willing to take the Indian government on.
"If this is what it means to be pro-democracy and pro-human rights, then let’s go," tweeted Meena, responding to a tweet which said MEA had locked horns with Meena and Rihanna. Meena's remarks are important as the government ponders over her aunt Harris' likely position on issues India considers an internal matter, given the vice president's strong advocacy of human and civil rights.
Earlier in the day, speaking on Internet restrictions imposed at Delhi borders, the US embassy here reiterated remarks by the State Department that US recognised unhindered access to information, including the internet, as fundamental to the freedom of expression and "a hallmark of a thriving democracy".
"We recognize that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same. We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue," said the embassy spokesperson.
The government said in its response that India and the United States were both vibrant democracies with shared values. "The incidents of violence and vandalism at the historic Red Fort on 26 January have evoked similar sentiments and reactions in India as did the incidents on the Capitol Hill on 6 January and are being addressed as per our respective local laws," said Srivastava.