TL;DR: The BJP accused the U.S. 'deep state' of meddling in India's politics, claiming a plot to destabilize the Modi government. This sparked debates about foreign influence and media freedom in India.
Recently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that elements within the U.S. 'deep state' are working to undermine India's sovereignty. They claim that these forces are collaborating with investigative journalists and opposition leaders, notably Rahul Gandhi, to tarnish India's image and destabilize the government.
The BJP's spokesperson, Sambit Patra, suggested that organizations like the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) are funded by the U.S. State Department and individuals like George Soros, aiming to target Prime Minister Modi and India's growth narrative.
In response, the U.S. Embassy in India expressed disappointment over these allegations, emphasizing the U.S. government's commitment to media freedom worldwide.
Opposition leaders in India have criticized the BJP's stance. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram remarked that such 'deep state' theories should be confined to the dark web and not be part of serious political discourse.
This incident has intensified discussions about foreign influence in India's political landscape and the role of media and international organizations in domestic affairs.
