Manish Tewari pulls up government for stripping Khobragade of her duties

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Saturday criticized the BJP-led NDA Government for stripping diplomat Devyani Khobragade of her duties as director in the Partnership Development Division, saying it exposes the Centre's double speak.

"This is another example of this government's double-speak. What has changed in the last one year that this government, which was such a valiant supporter of Devyani earlier, has taken action against her now," Tewari told ANI here.

Meanwhile, former diplomat Rajiv Dogra said one should not question the Ministry of External Affairs for taking administrative action against Khobragade.

"An administrative process has been put in motion. For an administrative process to be put in motion, there must have been some serious implications and some serious needs or provocations. I don't think we should question the MEA's decision to take administrative action," said Dogra.

"At the same time, we have to really ponder whether the causes that led to treatment by the US of Devyani Khobragade have since been eliminated by the US authorities," he added.

According to reports, the government has placed Khobragade under 'compulsory watch' after she spoke to the media without seeking permission.

Khobragade, a 1999 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was arrested and strip-searched in New York in December last year on charges of ill-treating her domestic help. The incident had led to a major diplomatic row between the two countries.