Shashi Tharoor Slams BJP’s “Attack-Dog” Behavior After US Rejects Claims
New Delhi, 8th December 2024: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the BJP for its “attack-dog” behaviour, calling it a national embarrassment after the United States rejected the party’s claims that elements within the American “deep state” were attempting to destabilize India. Tharoor expressed his views in a post on X, stating that the BJP failed to understand democracy and diplomacy. He added that the party’s narrow political perspective ignored the importance of a free press and civil society, as well as the responsibility of the ruling government to maintain positive relations with global partners.
Tharoor also pointed out that this “attack-dog” behaviour embarrassed the country.
The US Embassy responded on December 7, rejecting the BJP’s claims that US-funded organizations and elements within the “deep state” were orchestrating efforts to destabilize India by targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani. A US Embassy spokesperson called the accusations “disappointing” and reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to supporting media freedom worldwide.
On December 5, the BJP alleged that the US deep state was collaborating with the media group OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to malign India. The BJP pointed to Gandhi’s use of OCCRP reports to criticize the government’s ties to the Adani Group.
The BJP also made an unprecedented criticism of the US State Department, citing a Mediapart report that revealed OCCRP’s funding sources, including USAID, as well as donations from figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation. The BJP suggested that almost half of OCCRP’s funding came from the US government, implying the organization served as a tool to advance deep state agendas.
In response, the US Embassy spokesperson expressed disappointment, explaining that the US government partners with independent organizations to enhance journalistic professionalism and training, without interfering with their editorial decisions.
OCCRP, based in Amsterdam, is a media platform known for its investigative work on crime and corruption.
The US Embassy reiterated that the US has long supported media freedom globally, emphasizing the role of an independent press in democracy by fostering informed discussions and holding power accountable.
Last week, US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and others with allegedly paying over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to secure solar energy contracts. Adani has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. Congress has demanded a thorough investigation and accused the government of shielding the businessman.
