The High Commission of India in London on Friday described as “unacceptable” an audience member’s question about dissent in India at an event addressed by Chief Justice Surya Kant during his visit to the United Kingdom

Kant delivered a lecture titled Artificial Intelligence and International Law at Birkbeck, University of London, on Thursday, followed by an interaction with the audience.

Videos shared on social media showed an audience member attempting to ask a question about the “growing hostility to dissent with India”. The moderator interrupted the audience member, saying that the question was not related to the event’s theme.

In a statement, the High Commission said: “Such indecorous audience behaviour is unacceptable and inconsistent with respectful engagement that should govern public discourse.”

It added that “differences of opinion are a natural part of a democratic society…however, they must be expressed in a manner that is civil and respectful”.

Edited by Tanya Shrivastava.

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