Page 6 - The Indian EYE 050324

NATION MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 6

INDIA-WEST RELATIONS

Freedom and democracy:

India hits back at criticism as Govt

flaunts its global achievements

“We are all judged by what we do at home, not what we say abroad”: MEA

spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on pro-Palestine protests at US Universities

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi/Washington, DC

ll is not well between India and
the West at the moment. As
ANew Delhi comes under pres-
sure from the western government
and media over freedom of expres-
sion and democracy, the Indian gov-
ernment is not taking it lying down.
On Thursday, breaking from its
policy of not criticizing the US gov-
ernment over domestic issues, the
Ministry of External Affairs said
that there should be a right balance
between freedom of expression and
sense of responsibility, adding that
the democratic country is judged by
what we do at home and not what we
say abroad.”
Speaking about the pro-Pales-
tine protests at Columbia Universi-
ty and other Universities in the US,
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
said, “We have seen reports on the
matter and have been following relat-
ed events. In every democracy, there
has to be the right balance between
freedom of expression, a sense of
responsibility and public safety and
order. Democracies in particular
should display this understanding in EAM S Jaishankar slammed the western media for their interference in India’s electoral process (ANI)
regard to other fellow democracies.
After all, we are all judged by what
we do at home and not what we say through their campuses, prompting regarding the clearance of encamp- gotiations are ongoing so unstable at
abroad.” administrators to implement unprec- ments on campus have been de- the moment,” Karam told CNN.
Asked whether it is a concern for edented measures to address the in- scribed as “unstable” by Esha Karam, The California State Polytechnic
India as Indian students study in US tensifying situation, CNN reported. managing director of Columbia Daily University, Humboldt campus, faces
universities, he said, “As far as your Protesters at Columbia Universi- Spectator, citing student organisers. continued closure as protesters, in-
question regarding Indian students ty, where demonstrations ignited last Talks have been extended for 48 cluding unidentified non-students,
is concerned, we are always in touch week, demand the severance of ties hours, but the outcome remains un- occupy two buildings. School officials
with Indian students and as and when with Israeli academic institutions and certain. have expressed concerns over safety
there are issues which have to be re- complete divestment from entities “We’re about halfway through hazards and property damage, with
solved, we will look into it.” linked to Israel amid the ongoing Is- that extended deadline of 48 hours plans to keep the campus closed for
Colleges across the United States rael-Hamas conflict. and we heard from organizers on the an extended period.
are grappling with escalating unrest Negotiations between Columbia student front earlier today in a press Meanwhile, in a more important
as pro-Palestinian protests sweep University officials and protesters conference who told us that the ne- Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com