The Congress said on Thursday that it is firmly convinced that India's democratic processes must deal with the threats to its democracy, following the BJP's criticism of the opposition party's leader Digvijaya Singh for thanking Germany for "taking note" of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, news agency PTI reported.
Singh commended the German Foreign Ministry and Richard Walker, Chief International Editor of Deutsche Welle, for "taking note of how democracy is being undermined in India via Rahul Gandhi's persecution." He also linked a Walker tweet and a video on the German Foreign Ministry's reaction to Gandhi's disqualification.
A slew of prominent BJP leaders and Union ministers blasted the Congress and Singh, accusing them of "inviting foreign interference" in internal affairs.
Taking to Twitter, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated: "@INCIndia firmly believes that India's democratic processes themselves have to deal with the threats posed to our democracy by Mr. Modi's assault on our institutions & his politics of vendetta, intimidation, threats & harassment."
Ramesh remarked that the Congress and Opposition parties will face him head on. His answer is considered as damage management by the party in the aftermath of Singh's statements.
Speaking at press conference, Germany's foreign ministry spokesperson said: "We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate."
"To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis," the spokesperson was quoted by PTI in its report.
Germany expects "standards of judicial independence and essential democratic values" to apply equally to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, according to the statement.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted: "Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India's internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can't be influenced by foreign interference. India won't tolerate 'foreign influence' anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji."
Slamming Rijiju, Congress' media department head Pawan Khera said: "Mr. Rijiju, why divert from the main issue? The issue is that the Prime Minister cannot answer Rahul Gandhi's questions about Adani." Instead of "misleading" people, please answer the questions," PTI reported.
Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, attacked the Congress over Singh's tweet. "Disgrace to nation, @INCIndia & @RahulGandhi don't believe to fight India's democratic, political and legal battle within country, hence, invite foreign powers to interfere in our internal matter. But New India headed by @narendramodi Ji will not tolerate any foreign intervention," he tweeted.
(With Inputs From PTI)