Indian spokesman points finger at US over anti-corruption protests
Indian leaders have traditionally been suspicious that foreign interference may lie behind any opposition movement, although recent administrations have taken a more internationalist outlook and built strong ties with the US.
Congress party spokesman Rashid Alvi latched onto comments made last week by the US State Department in which Washington said it counted on India "to exercise appropriate democratic restraint" when handling protests.
"The US had never spoken about any movement in India. This is the first time that it did," Alvi was quoted as saying by the Times of India on Thursday.
"We show the path of democracy to others, what was the need for the US to say it? This has created suspicion."
Anna Hazare, a veteran anti-corruption campaigner, has become a figurehead of public discontent after inspiring huge protests against graft and bribery among officials.
"Anna is alone. He has no organisation. Then how did this movement start and grow?" Alvi said.
"Who are these people spreading the word on Internet and telephones?"
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself hinted at outside interference during an address to parliament on Wednesday.
"We are now emerging as one of the important players on the world stage," he said.
"There are many forces that would not like to see India realise its true place in the comity of nations. We must not play into their hands."
Indira Gandhi, the former prime minister who suspended democratic rule in India amid political turmoil in the mid-1970s, routinely blamed a "foreign hand" for many of the country's problems and the phrase remains highly potent among politicians.
US State Department spokeswomen Victoria Nuland, who made the remarks that Alvi picked up on, moved to diffuse the row, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
"There was some extremely inaccurate reporting out of India... that the United States had issued some sort of strong statement, which we did not issue," she told reporters in Washington.
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The first sign of guilt by the elite (and helplessness) - claim interference by the US!
India's democratic credentials not withstanding - they are superb - it is one of the most corrupt countries. In India day to to day transactions of the ordinary citizen are trapped in corrupt practices. In addition, a larger observation that shows how corrupt the ruling elite of the Congress Party is (mind you, we have the same), the Gandhis continue to dominate the party - not because they can, but because the sycophants around them know that they can loot shamelessly by imposing the dynasty upon the ordinary Indians. (Watch how Rahul Gandhi is being positioned to be the next PM).
On a healthy note ..... tradition of protest is alive in the citizens. People from all walks of life are taking to the streets, willing to go jail and not blame the US. It is their problem and they need to solve it. They know that. Do you think we could the same? Why could we not?
Whenever something chaotic happens in India, a Muslim politician from the Congress Party tries to divert the attention of the general public thereby trying to maintain the minority support intact. Be it Abdul Rehman Antulay or Rashid Alvi regarding 26/11 attacks or Anna Hazare's rally on corruption respectively. They just prove themselves of being a simpleton in front of the nation.
They forget that common man acknowledges the fact that terrorism and corruption have no religion !!
@malik: The fact that a danish cartoon can drawn thousands or even lacks of skull caps in heart of lucknow and hyderabad , but i don't see too many muslims taking part in this secular , peaceful and democratic movement against graft in india highlights that the muslims of india don't really want to actually engage with the main stream of india just like their co-religionists do in other western countries. The are not bothered about the burning issues around their homes and localities but are more inclined to their religion which as an approach has brought no good to them worldwide.
@Cautious: Except, they have a polity that is mature enough to call their government's bluff. Whereas, in Pakistan, it is our cantonments that call the bluff of our government. And, we the people, bluff no one but ourselves by not protesting. Big difference.
@malik: "As long as Muslims ( as a vote bank) will keep supporting the Congress, corruption and dynasty rule will never go away from India. Never, ever" This movement s a good thing that is happening in India and it is bringing all Indians closer. Don't use it to take potshots at fellow Indians on the basis of religions.This is a time to unite against corruption not divide on such basis.
@My Name is Khan: "To our Indian brothers commenting above, I hope Anna is successful in cleaning your nation of corruption and that we too can find our own one as the gentleman from Islamabad is doing:
Amen from and Indian well wisher.
@Cautious: "Oh well – besides DNA India and Pakistan have another thing in common — when things go bad you blame the USA:
Not Pakistan and India - Pakistan and Indian Congress have something in common in terms of blaming USA. Ordinary Indians do not believe this protest is a bad thing. They think this is a very patriotic movement that will lead to a better India.
As long as Muslims ( as a vote bank) will keep supporting the Congress, corruption and dynasty rule will never go away from India. Never, ever.
When the brain asks human body to store more lard than what it has a capacity for, it refuses and says: you store it. All the lard these netas consume with their rich food now piles layer upon layer on their brain. Watch Manmohan Singh say that a single public-spirited citizen's fast shall have "grievous consequences on the parliamentary system of government" or " the fast is unconstitutional" or that "Parliament is the only institution that can frame the laws" These morons do not realize that Constitution was created by and for the people of India, they have amended it umpteen number of times and they are fully entitled to trash it and write a new constitution when they jolly well decide to do so. What Manmohan Singh and his Man Friday, Chidambharam are not saying is: " we have finally mastered manipulating the system and begun to enjoy the perks. Don't take it away from us!" Look at the loophole this cabal discovered in the Indian Constitution through which he crawls everyday to sit on a chair on which one of the world's well-known democrats once sat!
To our Indian brothers commenting above, I hope Anna is successful in cleaning your nation of corruption and that we too can find our own one as the gentleman from Islamabad is doing.
People of India does NOT believe this 'blame game' theory of USA involvement.
Oh well - besides DNA India and Pakistan have another thing in common -- when things go bad you blame the USA.
This is funny. As if civil society has not organized before? What about vote Mumbai campaign? That is something the citizens of urban areas should also have gotten behind The outmoded structure of urban India is chocking the cities. This effort is about as close India gets to direct democracy. Indian officials may have their accounts in Swiss banks;but do not seem to realize it is the fount of direct democracy on a large scale. Google the term direct democracy and direct democracy Switzerland and see what turns up. See also: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1435383/How-direct-democracy-makes-Switzerland-a-better-place.html How direct democracy makes Switzerland a better place
wow, mullahs and Indian Congress now have something in common...both routinely blame America for their problems.
Given that the Congress Party which is so used to a foreign "hand", "leg", and "body" (aka, Sonia); no wonder it's spokesperson spoke so...
It is important to clarify, however, that it is not the official government line. This Rashid Alvi is just one of the spokesperson of the Congress part. It's an isolated comment and has no backing of any senior leader.
congress party is bunch of corrupt buffoons !!
such irresponsible comments cant divert the minds of indians!!
I'm sure Mataji will not like his remarks. As usual, he actually wanted to name RSS but due to slip of his tounge he metioned US. Anyway, let Mataji come back from US, this poor Alvi will surely be womanhandled. :)