India firmly rejected the findings of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding religious freedom in the country, labeling the commission as biased and politically motivated. The response came following the release of USCIRF's 2024 annual report, which recommended designating India and 16 other countries as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) for severe violations of religious freedom.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized USCIRF, accusing it of consistently propagating anti-India sentiments under the guise of annual reports. Jaiswal emphasized that USCIRF is widely perceived as a biased organization with an agenda, and its reports are viewed as propaganda rather than objective assessments.
During a press briefing, Jaiswal stated that India does not expect USCIRF to comprehend the country's diverse, pluralistic, and democratic values. He dismissed USCIRF's attempts to interfere in India's internal affairs, particularly during its electoral processes, asserting that such endeavors are destined to fail.
The USCIRF report accused the BJP-led Indian government of implementing discriminatory nationalist policies, fostering divisive rhetoric, and inadequately addressing communal violence against minority communities. It cited incidents such as violence in Manipur and Haryana, as well as the detention of Kashmiri leaders and separatists following the revocation of Article 370 by the Supreme Court in 2019.
India's response underscores its stance on safeguarding its sovereignty and rejecting external interference in its domestic affairs. The government's dismissal of USCIRF's recommendations reflects its commitment to defending its secular and democratic principles while pushing back against perceived attempts to undermine its reputation on the international stage.
