Vice President’s rebuttal after US, Germany, UN comments on Arvind Kejriwal

Mr. Dhankar stressed that in India “equality before the law is the new normal”.

New Delhi:

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stressed that India was a unique democracy and said the country did not need to learn lessons on rule of law from anyone. His remarks came after comments from Germany, the United States and the United Nations over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The questions posed to U.S. and U.N. representatives that prompted the comments also involved freezing congressional bank accounts.

Speaking at an event on Friday, the Vice President said, “India is a democracy with a sound judicial system. No individual or group can compromise that. India does not need lessons from anyone on the rule of law.”

Mr Dhankar stressed that in India, “equality before the law is the new normal” and that those who believe they are above the law will be held accountable.

Possibly referring to the AAP’s planned rally at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday against Mr Kejriwal’s arrest, which will be attended by several leaders of the Indian Alliance, the Vice President said: “But what have we seen? When the law takes its course. Naturally, they take to the streets, engage in high-decibel debates, and use human rights to cover up the worst culpability. It’s all happening right under our noses,” he added.

Describing India’s judiciary as strong, independent and people-friendly, he asked: “When the law is activated, what is the rationale for individuals, institutions or organizations to take to the streets?”

Dhankar, while speaking at the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, also said that people engaged in “illegal acts” are now playing the victim card.

“Corruption is no longer a gateway to opportunity, employment or contracts. It is a gateway to prison… Can you say from a moral standpoint that corrupt people cannot be dealt with because of festivals or farming?” “Season? There is no season. Can those who are guilty be saved,” the Vice President asked.

After speeches by representatives of the United States and Germany, India summoned the two countries’ envoys. It called the comments “baseless,” “biased” and “unacceptable,” but has so far not responded to a statement from a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.