Explained: Row over envoy's 'single dynastic party' jab at Congress
The Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, has come under the Congress's fire for his comments criticizing the party and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a rejoinder to an article in a foreign publication. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that defending the government of India is one thing. He added, "But to attack opposition parties openly in such a manner as a party apparatchik is not expected from an ambassador." Here's what we know about the row.
Why does this story matter?
The row started after Mishra issued a rejoinder to an article by the Irish Times titled "Indian election: Modi tightens his grip." The article, dated April 11, criticized PM Modi for a "widespread crackdown on free speech and opposition parties" while citing Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and the freezing of the Congress's bank accounts. Days later, the envoy responded, saying that the article was "casting aspersion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions, and the 'Hindu-majority'...India."
Ambassador Mishra defends PM Modi's governance
In his rejoinder, Mishra also defended PM Modi's governance and anti-corruption efforts. He emphasized the success of Modi's administration in recovering assets from the elite. "The fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year rule, including first 30 years, by a single dynastic party in India) is a major factor behind Mr Modi's ever-growing popularity," the ambassador wrote.
Check out Mishra's rejoinder here
Unprofessional and disgraceful behavior: Ramesh
On Tuesday, Ramesh responded to the envoy's rejoinder, calling it "unprofessional and disgraceful behavior on his part-but is par for the Modi course I guess." Ramesh also sought Mishra's dismissal, stating that his actions violated the service rules. "I stand corrected. This Ambassador is actually a career diplomat which makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away," he added.
