India rejects USCIRF report, calls it biased and misleading
The USCIRF report has alleged deterioration in religious freedom in India and recommended that the US government designate India as a “country of particular concern.”
New Delhi: India has strongly rejected the latest report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which recommended banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and placing restrictions on India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Responding to the report, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the findings as “biased” and “motivated.” He said the commission has consistently relied on questionable sources and ideological narratives to present a distorted picture of India.
“We have taken note of the recent USCIRF report and categorically reject its observations. Such repeated misrepresentation undermines the credibility of the commission itself,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing.
The USCIRF report has alleged deterioration in religious freedom in India and recommended that the US government designate India as a “country of particular concern.” It also suggested sanctions, including restrictions on arms sales and targeting specific organizations like the RSS.
India, however, dismissed these claims, stating that they do not reflect the ground reality. Officials said the report ignores India’s pluralistic society and democratic framework.
Jaiswal also pointed out that instead of making “unwarranted comments” about India, the commission should focus on issues within the United States. He referred to incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples and rising threats faced by Indian diaspora members in the US.
“It would be more appropriate for such bodies to address concerns related to religious intolerance and hate crimes within their own country,” he added.
The report also made allegations regarding anti-conversion laws, treatment of minorities, and communal incidents in various Indian states. It claimed that religious minorities are being targeted and that government policies are contributing to the situation.
India has rejected these allegations, calling them selective and misleading. Officials stressed that India remains committed to upholding religious freedom and ensuring equal rights for all communities.
The USCIRF had further recommended visa bans and asset freezes on certain individuals and organisations, along with linking arms trade policies to religious freedom conditions.
The strong response from India highlights growing tensions over external assessments of its internal affairs. New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that such reports are intrusive and do not take into account the country’s constitutional safeguards and judicial mechanisms.
The issue is likely to remain a point of contention between India and international advocacy groups.
