India has firmly rejected a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which highlighted alleged “increasing abuses” against religious minorities within the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denounced the report as “biased” and accused the USCIRF of pushing a “motivated narrative” with a political agenda.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly criticized the commission’s findings. “Our views on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) are well known. It is a biased organization with a political agenda,” Jaiswal stated. “We reject this malicious report, which only serves to discredit USCIRF further.”
The commission’s annual report recommended that India be categorized as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to “severe violations of religious freedom,” pointing to incidents of violence against religious minorities and the demolition of homes and places of worship. The report also cited India’s legal framework, including laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and state-level anti-conversion regulations, as tools for disenfranchising minority communities.
In response, Jaiswal urged the USCIRF to reconsider its focus and suggested that the commission turn its attention inward, addressing domestic human rights issues in the United States. “We would urge USCIRF to desist from such agenda-driven efforts. The USCIRF would also be well advised to utilise its time more productively on addressing human rights issues in the United States,” he remarked.
Again!! what falsehood.
— Maria Wirth (@mariawirth1) October 3, 2024
religious freedom in India is not collapsing.
how come that there is no #USCIRF commissioner from among Hindus?
from the names one can conclude that 2 are Muslims, at least 2 are Jewish, and the rest Christian from in all 8 commissioners.
strangely,… pic.twitter.com/3YIzRbDfns
The USCIRF agenda has come under scrutiny for its alleged connections to Pakistan, China, and various organizations known for their anti-India rhetoric. Notably, USCIRF Commissioner Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi has deep ties to Pakistan, having studied Sharia Law at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. Given Pakistan’s fraught relationship with India and its well-documented role in sponsoring terrorism, Elsanousi’s background raises serious questions about his impartiality in judging India’s internal matters. Similarly, Commissioner Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani-origin activist, has contributed to shaping USCIRF’s reports, fueling suspicion of Pakistan’s influence in targeting India. These associations reflect an ulterior motive aimed at discrediting India’s global standing.
In addition to links with Pakistan, USCIRF members, including Commissioner Vicky Hartzler, have connections to Christian missionary groups, which have a controversial history in India. These groups have long been criticized for attempting to convert vulnerable populations under the guise of promoting minority rights. Hartzler’s involvement with such organizations, as well as her connections to groups that focus on religious persecution in China, further deepens concerns over USCIRF’s objectivity. Given these ties to both Pakistan and notorious international organizations, many believe that USCIRF’s reports are not only biased but also part of a larger, coordinated effort to malign India’s reputation on the global stage.
This is not the first time India has rejected criticisms from the USCIRF. Indian officials, along with various Indian-American groups, have repeatedly accused the commission of producing biased and unscientific reports that aim to tarnish the country’s global image.
In its report, published in May 2024, the USCIRF expressed concerns over alleged violations of religious freedom in India, a country known for its vast diversity and cultural complexity. India, however, maintains that these reports fail to account for the nation’s pluralistic society and the constitutional protections provided to all citizens, regardless of their religious background.
USCIRF, a U.S. federal government agency, has long targeted India, the world's largest democracy that is more culturally diverse than the 44 countries of Europe combined. Its latest India report draws a stinging rebuke, with India asking USCIRF to "utilize its time more… pic.twitter.com/SQ5Xdx5DnI
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) October 3, 2024
Critics within India have dismissed the USCIRF’s annual reports as agenda-driven attacks lacking a comprehensive understanding of the country’s social and cultural fabric. The MEA’s latest rebuttal reflects the growing diplomatic strain between the two sides on issues related to religious freedom.
The Indian government continues to challenge what it views as external interference in its domestic affairs, maintaining that its commitment to the protection of minority rights is enshrined in its Constitution and legal framework.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
