India rejects USCIRF report on religious freedom, calls it ‘biased and politically motivated’
PTC Web Desk: India has strongly criticised the latest annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it "biased and politically motivated." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the report, stating that it attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and undermine India’s multicultural and democratic society.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reacted sharply, saying, “We have seen the recently released annual report of USCIRF, which once again continues its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments.” He said India was home to 1.4 billion people of diverse religious backgrounds, coexisting harmoniously. However, he noted that USCIRF had consistently refused to acknowledge India’s pluralistic framework.
Jaiswal further said, “Such efforts to undermine India’s standing as a beacon of democracy and tolerance will not succeed. In fact, it is the USCIRF that should be designated as an entity of concern.”
The USCIRF report alleges that religious freedom conditions in India have deteriorated in 2024, citing increased attacks and discrimination against religious minorities. It accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of spreading "hateful rhetoric and disinformation against Muslims and other religious minorities."
One of the most controversial aspects of the report is its recommendation for targeted sanctions against India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists abroad. The report also suggests that the US government designate India as a "country of particular concern" for alleged violations of religious freedom.
However, experts believe that the US government is unlikely to impose sanctions on RAW, as the USCIRF recommendations are not legally binding. The report also noted that Washington has prioritised India as a counterbalance to China’s rising influence and has therefore overlooked human rights concerns.
India has categorically rejected USCIRF’s claims, reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom and democracy. The MEA insists that such reports are part of a deliberate attempt to malign India’s global reputation. The government maintains that India remains a vibrant and inclusive nation, where all religious communities coexist peacefully.
- With inputs from agencies
