Devyani Khobragade row: Twitter reacts as strongly as the government

Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, was arrested last week for allegedly underpaying her nanny and committing visa fraud to get her into the United States. Khobragade was handcuffed upon arrest and strip-searched before being released on bail, Indian media said. Khobragade, who was released on $250,000 bail after pleading not guilty to the charges and surrendering her passport, faces a maximum of 15 years in jail if convicted on both counts. U.S. State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf on Monday said diplomatic security staff followed standard procedures during the arrest and then handed her over to the U.S. Marshals. The arrest triggered fierce debate in India, with opinion divided over whether Khobragade was unfairly treated or whether she should be condemned for mistreating her domestic helper.

Twitter however, has mixed reactions. Some thought it was outright appalling behaviour from US' part while some thought the whole idea was overrated.

Is indian establishment not over reacting over the diplomat-kaam wali bai row?#DevyaniKhobragade

— Jay (@a_jayj) December 17, 2013

#India stands up for a diplomat mistreated in the US, what about thousands of labourers undergoing far worse treatment in the Middle East?

— Jennifer Gnana (@jcgnana) December 17, 2013

HOW DARE THE US TREAT AN INDIAN DIPLOMAT LIKE THE INDIAN DIPLOMAT TREATED HER MAID?

— Overrated Outcast (@over_rated) December 17, 2013

Refused to meet the visiting USA delegation in solidarity with our nation, protesting ill-treatment meted to our lady diplomat in USA.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 17, 2013

If Devyani Khobragade's actions were illegal declare her PNG. Strip searching a diplomat, representing a country is stripping the nation

— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) December 17, 2013

Don't agree with what diplomat Devyani Khobragade has done, but I hope the US follows the same principles it used to get Raymond Davies home

— Saikat Datta (@saikatd) December 17, 2013

Y cldn't we take similar stand over Capt Sunil James w/ Togo which was so much more inhuman? Coz he isnt a diplomat like Devyani Khobragade?

— Yashodhara Dasgupta (@yashodhara_dg) December 17, 2013