In a scathing rebuke of Western media’s portrayal of Indian elections, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accused them of bias and hypocrisy during an interaction following the launch of the Bangla edition of his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Jaishankar lambasted Western nations, stating that those “who have to go to court for deciding election results” should not lecture India on conducting polls. He criticized their perceived arrogance, suggesting that they are unwilling to relinquish their influence despite the changing global landscape. The Minister asserted that Western media’s negativity towards Indian elections stems from their discomfort with the Indian electorate’s divergence from their preferred narrative.
Furthermore, Jaishankar highlighted the Western media’s overt support for specific candidates and political parties, labeling it as a “mind game” aimed at influencing global perceptions. He sarcastically noted the irony of countries resorting to legal battles over election results presuming to advise India on electoral practices.
Praising the high voter turnout despite challenging conditions in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Jaishankar emphasized the resilience of Indian democracy. He reiterated his stance from a previous forum in Hyderabad, where he criticized Western media for their biased coverage and questioned their understanding of Indian democracy.
With the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 progressing through seven phases, Jaishankar’s critique comes amid heightened scrutiny of media coverage and international perceptions. The final phase is scheduled for June 1, with vote counting set for June 4.
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