OSLO, Norway, May 19 (ANI): India reiterated its firm stance on protecting human rights and upholding democratic values following a controversial disruption by a Norwegian newspaper commentator during Prime Minister entity[“politician”,”Narendra Modi”,”Prime Minister of India”]’s press statement alongside Norwegian Prime Minister entity[“politician”,”Jonas Gahr Støre”,”Prime Minister of Norway”].
Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) entity[“people”,”Sibi George”,”MEA Secretary (West)”] said that despite India accounting for one-sixth of the world’s population, the country does not contribute one-sixth of the world’s problems.
Addressing a press briefing, George said, “We hear a lot of people asking why this, why that, but let me tell you this. We are one-sixth of the total population of the world, but not one-sixth of the problems of the world. We have a Constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights of the people. We have equal rights for the women of our country, which is very important.”
George said India granted women equal voting rights from the very first day of independence, unlike many countries where women received voting rights decades later.
“In 1947 we gave the freedom to vote to our women. We got freedom together and got the right to vote from day one. I know many countries where voting rights for women came after several decades. We believe in equality. We believe in human rights. If anyone’s rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. We are proud to be a democracy,” he said.
George also said many people fail to understand the scale and diversity of India’s media ecosystem and form opinions based on limited reports published by what he described as “ignorant NGOs.”
“You know how many stories are up here. We have how many breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in the English language, in Hindi language and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India. People have no understanding. They read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” he said.
The remarks came in response to a post on X by a Norwegian newspaper commentator who said Prime Minister Modi did not take her question. She also referred to India and Norway’s rankings in the World Press Freedom Index. (ANI)
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