(ANSA) - NEW DELHI, 05 MAR - Freedom House has downgraded India from the category of "free country" to that of "partially free" in its annual report on political rights and civil liberties presented yesterday.
Washington's research institute, an independent global body, funded by the US government, had classified the country as free in 2020.
"Narendra Modi's government is elevating Hindu nationalist interests at the expense of basic values of inclusion and equal rights for all. . Political rights and civil liberties have deteriorated since Modi became prime minister in 2014, with increasing pressure on human rights organizations, the intimidation of academics and journalists, and a series of attacks, and often lynching against Muslims, "the report reads. .
Freedom House also points out that Modi's India appears to have abandoned the democratic global leadership role it aimed at.
"Instead of posing as a champion of democracy and a counterweight to the authoritarian influences of countries like China, Modi and his party are tragically leading India towards authoritarianism," reads the FreedomHouse study.
The report was met with predictable indignation from Indian government circles, which immediately refused interference from abroad.
But, among others, the moderate newspaper The Indian Express responds today with an editorial that points out that it is not appropriate to talk about a "foreign conspiracy".
"Freedom House is a study, not a conspiracy.
The downgrading comes from examining 25 parameters and indexes that raise alarm, especially about freedom of expression. If we are a mature democracy, we cannot use a double standard: applaud international relations when reward, like the World Bank's on ease of business in 2020, and reject criticism. "
(HANDLE).
