32 retired Indian diplomats back Modi govt amid hate speech controversy

A joint statement issued by 32 retired Indian diplomats questioned ‘double standards’ by those who condemn hate speeches only to suit their ‘political agenda’ and as a sustained ‘smear campaign’ against the Modi government.

Released in four different languages (English, Hindi, Bangla, Punjabi), a joint statement issued by 32 retired Indian diplomats on Wednesday raised questions of “double standards” practised by those who condemn hate speeches only to suit their “political agenda” and as a sustained “smear campaign” against the Modi government.

Titled, ‘Condemnation of Hate Speech Must be Universal, Not Selective’, the statement says, “All calls for violence must be unequivocally condemned regardless of their religious, ethnic, ideological or regional origin. Double standards and selectivity in condemnation raises questions about motives and morality.”