The external affairs ministry on Friday said India is a vibrant democracy, which does not require certification from others after former Vice-President Hamid Ansari and four US lawmakers expressed concern over the country’s human rights situation.

Referring to the virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian American Muslim Council on Wednesday at which Ansari and the US lawmakers spoke, the ministry appeared to accuse the participants of bias.

Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “We have seen reports on this event. India is a robust and vibrant democracy. It does not require certification from others.”

The claim that others need to protect our constitution is “presumptuous and preposterous”, he said.

“The track record of event organisers is as well known as the biases and political interests of the participants,” Bagchi added.

Ansari was quoted as saying: “In recent years, we have experienced emergence of trends and practices that dispute the well established principle of civic nationalism, and interpose a new and imaginary practice of cultural nationalism. It seeks to present an electoral majority in the guise of a religious majority and monopolise political power. It wants to distinguish citizens on the basis of their faith, give vent to intolerance, insinuate otherness and promote disquiet and insecurity….”