Rubio on India’s protests: What was said, what the UN said, what India replied

What Rubio said: the protests are a domestic political matter and the United States will not get involved.

What the UN said: its human rights office questioned the Delhi Police crackdown and urged respect for peaceful assembly.

What India said: the UN remarks were misplaced and reasonable restrictions remain in place.

Single-source detail: The Wire reports a comparison with Cuba.

Not reported: any response from the Cockroach Janta Party or the opposition.

Rubio was asked by a reporter about the Cockroach Janta Party protest during a three-day visit to India, according to India TV.

Rubio said Washington would not get involved in India’s politics, according to India TV.

The Wire quotes Rubio as saying: “We’re not going to comment on internal political matters. That’s for the Indian people to decide and navigate.”

Rubio praised India’s democracy and noted that elections are held there, according to India TV.

Rubio said protests happen daily in the United States and distinguished them from riots, which Rubio said were seen in Europe, according to India TV.

The Wire adds that Rubio described such public expression as a sign of political discourse and differences of opinion, and contrasted it with Cuba. This detail is from a single report.

The remarks came after the United Nations human rights office questioned the Delhi Police crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party leaders and urged India to respect the right to peaceful assembly, according to India TV.

Special Rapporteur Gina Romero’s report said young people in India face retaliation and stigmatisation for discussing issues such as mental health or gender justice, according to the same report.

India called the United Nations remarks misplaced and said reasonable restrictions remain in place even though people can protest freely, according to India TV.

India rejected the Special Rapporteur’s report, saying it relied on unnamed submissions cited in a footnote, according to the same report.

Gateway of India, Mumbai (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0