Delhi's Chief Minister and head of the Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal's arrest has drawn regular statements from the US, prompting a journalist to question its selectivity. At a Wednesday press briefing, a journalist addressed State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, questioning why the US vocally condemns Kejriwal's arrest in India while remaining silent on opposition arrests in Pakistan.
In the daily press briefing, the journalist pointed out the State Department's daily statements on Kejriwal's arrest and the freezing of the Congress Party's assets. He challenged the US for its stringent take on India's opposition, while seemingly ignoring political prisoners in Pakistan.
In response to this uncomfortable question, Matthew Miller stated that it's not appropriate to conflate the two cases. He further stated the US's desire to see everyone in Pakistan treated equally under the law and from a human rights perspective.
'I don't agree with conflating these two issues,' the spokesperson said. 'We have made it clear on multiple occasions that we expect everyone in Pakistan to be treated according to the rule of law, with respect for human rights, as we would in any other country in the world.'
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21st. He is detained in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor scam and is currently in Delhi's Tihar Jail. His judicial custody is expected to end on April 15th.
What Has America Said About Kejriwal's Arrest?
The US has issued several statements concerning Kejriwal's arrest. The State Department noted that the US is closely monitoring the reports of his arrest and supports a fair legal process.
Responding to the State Department's statement, the Ministry of External Affairs released one of their own, asserting that India’s legal proceedings are based on an independent judiciary committed to timely decisions and that it is inappropriate to question the integrity of the Indian judiciary.
