'Corruption a passage to jail': VP Dhankhar's indirect swipe at US, Germany's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest

India's Vice President Jadgeep Dhankhar said that the country does not need lessons from anybody in the world on the rule of law to assert that the world's largest democracy is a unique one as well.

The Vice President of India, who is the deputy to the head of the state, that is the president of India Droupadi Murmu, made these comments in the wake of remarks by Berlin, Washington DC, and the United Nations concerning the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The representatives of the United States and the United Nationsalso asked about the frozen bank accounts of the Indian National Congress.

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The Vice President said, "India is a democracy with a robust judicial system. This can't be compromised by any individual or any group. India does not need lessons from anyone on rule of law", NDTV reported.

Dhankhar also laid emphasis on "equality before law", adding that "it is the new norm" in India.

In an indirect reference to Aam Aadmi Party's planned rally against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, which will also be attended by several leaders from Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) bloc leaders, Dhankhar said: "But what do we see? The moment the law takes its course, they take to the streets, high-decibel debates, camouflaging culpability of the worst nature by human rights. This is happening under our nose."

"What is the justification for a person or an institution or an organisation to take to the streets when the law is set in motion?"

Dhankhar's comments came during the 70th Founders' Day celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration.

"Corruption is not a passage to opportunity, employment or a contract anymore. It is a passage to jail... Can you go on a high moral ground that the corrupt must not be dealt with because it is a festive season or it is farming season? How can there be any season to save those who are culpable," the Vice President said.

Following the remarks by the representatives from Washington and Berlin, New Delhi had summoned their envoys. India denounced the comments as "unwarranted", "biased" and "unacceptable".

(WIth inputs from agencies)