RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3438
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2021.
FREEDOM HOUSE REPORT ON DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS
3438. SHRI SANJAY SINGH:
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has taken cognizance of the recent report of Freedom House whose assessment is globally hailed as an important marker of a country’s democratic credentials, as per which India has witnessed a significant decline to the status of ‘partly-free’;
(b) whether Government is considering to take measures to enquire into and rectify the factors that have hindered the country’s performance on such global parameters;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)
(a) to (d) India is a vibrant pluralistic society founded on strong democratic principles. We have a robust public discourse and constitutionally mandated institutions that guarantee protection of our citizens and the rule of law. The Report misrepresents facts pertaining to Covid, judiciary, Assam, elections, NGOs and media in India. It reflects a biased view of India about the working of our democracy.
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