Ishika Kumar, Pune
On Monday, it was announced by India that the concerns regarding its electoral process raised by the top human rights officials of the UN are considered unwarranted. India came forward with the claim that many around the world seek to learn from its electoral experience and aim to imitate it, indicating that the raised concerns portray themselves as accusations and misrepresent the largest democracy in the world.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, made remarks concerning the country’s forthcoming general elections. Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva debunked those.
In a global update to the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk discussed about topics like, an increase in restrictions on advocates for human rights, several journalists, and hate speech as well as, discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims, were enunciated. But Bagchi said that disagreement is normal in any democracy. Propaganda should not be permitted to taint judgment for people in positions of authority. People’s complete engagement and faith in the electoral mandate have been hallmarks of the Indian electoral process. It was further clarified that there is no question that the Indian people have consistently used their freedom to vote freely in the past to select the government they feel can best voice their grievances.
Turk’s global update also mentioned that in India, the coming election will be unique in terms of its scale with an electorate of 960 million people. The country’s secularism, democratic traditions, and great diversity were appreciated. As polls for the 2024 general elections are expected to be held between April and May, ensuring the protection of minorities and an open space for meaningful participation of everyone is particularly important in a pre-electoral context.
Bagchi backed his stance by saying that, the Indian Supreme Court’s decision last month, upheld the right to information and transparency was welcomed. It was further stated that plurality, diversity, inclusivity, and openness are at the core of India’s democratic polity and its constitutional values.
These are supported by a boldly independent and robust judiciary that aims to protect the rights of all. India, representing 1/6th of humanity, champions human rights globally. Recent efforts including the pandemic aid and disaster relief. Amid global conflicts, India stood by peace and diplomacy. It welcomes a restored focus on multilateral governance, sustainable development, and peace initiatives.