New Delhi: The Indian envoy to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, stoked controversy both at home and abroad after he slammed an editorial published by The Irish Times critical of the Narendra Modi government.
In an unpreceded letter, which was posted by the official X handle of the Indian embassy in Dublin, Mishra said that the Prime Minister was fighting “against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year rule, including the first thirty years by a single dynastic party in India)…”
Sources in the Indian government told ThePrint that Mishra’s rejoinder to the 11 April editorial headlined, ‘The Irish Times view on the Indian election: Modi tightens his grip’, was not sanctioned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or any government agencies.
The rejoinder was slammed as “disgraceful” by the Congress party which has also sought Mishra’s sacking.
“Indian prime minister Narendra Modi enjoys unprecedented popularity and profile not only in India but also globally because of his impeccable personal character and integrity,” Mishra wrote.
The ambassador further defended the prime minister, stating that Modi “does not belong to any elite political family, his personal life inspires millions of ordinary people in India and other developing countries.”
He goes on to assert that “the fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption” was a major factor behind the prime minister’s “ever-growing popularity”.
Ambassador @AkhileshIFS’s rejoinder to @IrishTimes' highly biased & prejudiced editorial [Modi tightens his grip” April 11, 2024)], casting aspersion on Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions & “Hindu-majority” people of India. pic.twitter.com/Oh5rFly92Z
— India in Ireland (Embassy of India, Dublin) (@IndiainIreland) April 15, 2024
The Congress party called out the ambassador for his “unprofessional” behaviour in openly attacking opposition parties in a foreign country.
Jairam Ramesh, member of parliament and the Congress’ general secretary in-charge communications, slammed Mishra saying such an attack on the opposition “in this manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he is a political appointment.”
Defending the Government of India is one thing and is to be expected. But to attack Opposition parties openly in thus manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he be a political appointment. This is unprofessional and disgraceful behaviour on his… https://t.co/t0YQSKZSLQ
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 16, 2024
That the envoy is actually a career diplomat “makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away,” the Congress leader tweeted.
ThePrint reached out to the Indian ambassador via text message for his comments, as well as the Ireland embassy in New Delhi. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
Mishra’s tenure as the envoy in Ireland is nearing to an end and his new posting is yet to be decided upon.
In its editorial, The Irish Times alleged that Modi has cracked down on opposition parties and free speech, and as a result of these actions “India’s democratic credentials have been severely tarnished.”
“Most recent was the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and chief minister of Delhi since 2015, over an alleged “scam” involving alcohol sales. He is now languishing in jail,” it said.
“And Congress, India’s largest opposition party, has seen the tax authority freeze millions in its bank accounts, crippling its ability to campaign.”
The editorial added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denies any role in the crackdown, while also pointing out that “95 percent of its political cases have been filed against the opposition.”
It ended with connecting the politics of Modi with other European leaders such as Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Reccep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, who are famed for their “illiberal democracies.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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