Indian diplomat's arrest: Parties demand apology from US for 'barbaric' treatment to Khobragade

PTI : New Delhi, Tue Dec 17 2013, 20:50 hrs

Arrested Indian Deputy Consul General to US Devyani Khobragade

Political parties expressed outrage over the "shameful and barbaric" treatment meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York and asked the government to take every step matching US action till it gives an unconditional apology.

"The incidents should be condemned by all. More steps should be taken till the US gives an unconditional apology," Union Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath said as India announced a slew of measures curtailing privileges of US diplomats here.

"India should take the lead in sending a message to the US authorities," he said.
Main opposition BJP asked the government to take up the matter strongly with the American establishment and even demanded arrest of American gay partners in India.

"The way she was arrested after being handcuffed, kept with drug addicts and strip-searched in the police station, that is condemnable, reprehensible and regrettable and in clear violation of conventions," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Taking a dig at the UPA government, he said that the treatment given to the Indian diplomat by the US "does not accord to the level of friendship that the Indian government claims to have with the US".
"We would urge the Indian government, which tries to match each and every step of the US, to take serious action in this matter to establish the Indian sovereignty and prestige of its diplomatic community," he said.
Reacting sharply to the arrest of the diplomat, former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said the government should hit back by punishing same sex companions of US diplomats in India following the Supreme Court ruling on gay sex.

"Media has reported that we have issued visas to a number of US diplomats' companions. 'Companions' means that they are of the same sex. Now, after the Supreme Court ruling, it is completely illegal in our country, just as paying less wages was illegal in the US," the senior BJP leader said referring to visas issued to same sex 'companions' of US diplomats living in India.

WTF happened to my country? We do this stuff now too? On top of all the murdering of political opponents and subversion of foreign governments and economies, we attack utterly beautiful women too? This is North Korean style U.S. government. I don't know about you but I think it's time for a mass rental of the old Network movie, ya know what I mean?