Indian High Commission in London condemns British Parliament debate on farmer’s protest and freedom of press in India, calls false assertions

Indian High Commission in London on Tuesday condemned the debate held in British Parliament, which discussed the farmer’s protest and freedom of press in India, as ”false assertions rather than a balanced debate.”

”We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions – without substantiation or facts – were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions,” the High Commission said in a statement.

“Foreign media, including the British media, are present in India and have witnessed the events under discussion first-hand. The question of lack of freedom of the media in India does not arise,” it further read.

A debate held in the British parliament on Monday dicussed the “safety of farmers” and “press freedom” in India. During the date several MPs of the Labour party, Liberal democrats and the Scottish National Party had raised concerns over Indian government’s reaction to the protests.

The UK government responded saying: “The concerns will be raised with India when both Prime Ministers meet in person.”

The debate was a response to a petition initiated by Maidenhead Liberal Democrat leader Gurch Singh of Indian origin. The petition received signatures from over a lakh UK residents within weeks.