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India Rejects European Concerns Over Rights Issues
(MENAFN) India has dismissed recent criticism from Dutch officials regarding press freedom and minority rights, arguing that such remarks reflect insufficient understanding of the country’s democratic structure and historical diversity.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten reportedly expressed concern over “not just about press freedom” in India, but also about “the rights of minorities, which are under severe pressure there,” adding that these matters are “regularly raised” during discussions with New Delhi.
Responding to the comments, senior Indian diplomat Sibi George said the criticism often arises from limited awareness of India’s social complexity and democratic character. “We face these kinds of questions basically because of the lack of understanding of the person who asks the question,” he added.
George emphasized that India, home to around 1.4 billion people, is built on a civilization stretching back nearly 5,000 years and contains extraordinary cultural diversity. “It’s a diverse country – diversity in terms of culture, diversity in terms of languages, diversity in terms of food, diversity in terms of religion.”
“There is no other country in the world where four religions have originated,” George said, referring to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, all of which began in India and remain widely practiced.
He further noted that Jewish communities have lived in India for more than 2,500 years without facing persecution, while Christianity and Islam have also existed and expanded there for centuries.
According to George, minorities represented roughly 11% of India’s population at independence, compared with more than 20% today.
Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, Jetten stated on social media that both nations place “great importance to democracy, good governance and a world order based on rules and justice.”
Western governments and international organizations have previously raised similar concerns regarding India. Earlier this year, reports noted that the US Commission on International Religious Freedom called for “sanctions” targeting India’s external intelligence agency and a social organization over alleged violations of religious freedom.
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