Can India take a stand for free speech
India should give political asylum to American whistleblower Edward Snowden for exposing the US cyber snooping programme that targeted India in a big way, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said.
Assange, who is holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since June 19 last year, said in an exclusive interview that India was among the first countries he had approached for asylum. But he never heard back.
"I was disappointed and saddened that India, known for upholding human rights, never got back despite several requests by me for asylum. Indians are also great supporters of WikiLeaks. I therefore contacted the foreign office through the Indian high commissioner. I wrote to them but they never responded," Assange said.
The WikiLeaks founder said that if a small nation like Ecuador could have the guts to provide him asylum, India which has considerable global standing with a billion-plus population should not be afraid of "standing up for human rights" and giving Snowden asylum. "Ecuadorians showed immense courage and granted me asylum," he added.
Assange called Snowden a hero for exposing "the most serious events of the decade" — how America was snooping into people's emails, phone calls, messages en masse and across the globe. "It was because of Snowden that India came to know how US was snooping on them. It is an obligation for India to protect Snowden. Now is the time for India to show it stands up for human rights," he said.
Assange warned Snowden against serious witch-hunting by the US government.
The Australian information activist, who is trying to avoid extradition to face "trumped up" charges of sexual offences in Sweden, said he is still willing to take asylum in India if such an offer comes.
WikiLeaks has a big support base in India. But the government should show more courage," Assange said.
Their methods / tactics may be different , but all countries spy on each other.
still wondering why the americans are after all this persons or is it that the americans are afraid that their dirty secrets will be exposed by this guys. Looks like for once the criminals and spies themselves are now hunting the other criminals and spies
I think the Chinese will probably make him a good offer..
Hmm, if they take him, what if he reveals nasty stuff about India ? :P
Once a traitor, always a traitor.
India still has a long way to go to be considered a champion of free speech and human rights. This not saying that they have not any thing. They gave refuge to the Bangladeshi author Nasreen.
But taking on the US will not be in India's interest
"It was because of Snowden that India came to know how US was snooping on them. It is an obligation for India to protect Snowden. Now is the time for India to show it stands up for human rights, democratic principles and fair practices and not bow down like hypocrites to the americans.
perhaps the indians will stay deaf and dumb as is their practice for fear that the americans might expose their black money hidden away in Swiss banks.
For free...no way...:)
India needs fuel from America for its nuclear reactors.
Agree with Brit..India is neck deep in its own internal problems and being an ally of the US won't do anything that could jeopardise its relations with them.
This is serious politics and India does not need this headache.