India rejects claims of human rights violations

NEW DELHI: Faced with questions from Norwegian media about human rights in India, govt strongly rejected allegations of violations, highlighting the country’s constitutional values of justice, liberty and freedom of expression. This was the second time MEA rejected such allegations during PM Modi’s ongoing Europe tour, responding earlier to queries in the Netherlands about Dutch PM Rob Jetten’s remarks on press freedom and minority rights in India. “India is a civilisational country which offered something unique to the world and it continues to offer (it),” said MEA secretary (west) Sibi George. He said the Constitution guarantees sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic, and ensures justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship as well as equality of opportunity through fundamental rights and principles. He was briefing the media Monday night on Modi’s bilateral talks with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere. He was responding to a query from Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen, who had earlier unsuccessfully attempted to ask Modi a question after his media statement on Monday. Later, the Indian embassy in Norway responded to Sve-ndsen’s post and said she was “most welcome to come and ask your questions” at a press briefing by it. TNN & Agencies