Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed a party colleague for “inappropriate” personal attacks on popular central bank chief Raghuram Rajan which are thought to have contributed to his departure.
Modi also said he appreciated Rajan’s work, just over one week after Rajan announced he was standing down at the end of his first term in September.
“I believe Raghuram Rajan’s patriotism is no less than any of ours... As much as I know Raghuram Rajan, whatever post he holds, wherever he is, he is someone who will continue to serve the country,” Modi said.
“Those who speak such language (against him) are doing great injustice to him.”
Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, had led a public campaign against Raghuram Rajan.

The Harvard-educated Swamy has since gone on to criticize the candidates reportedly now shortlisted for the RBI job, including chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian.
In his first comments on the controversy, Modi said he did not support such attacks on bureaucrats, branding them publicity stunts.
“Whether it is someone from my party or not, I believe that such things are inappropriate. The nation won’t benefit from such publicity stunts,” Modi told the television station, without naming Swamy.
“One should be more responsible while conducting themselves. Anyone who believes he is bigger than the system is wrong.”
Rajan, a former professor at the University of Chicago, said in his resignation letter to staff this month that he would be returning to academia.
But he also seemed to hint that differences with Modi’s government had factored into his decision.

Source: Arab News