A federal US commission has urged the Biden administration to impose targeted sanctions by freezing the assets of Indian government agencies and officials responsible for “serious violations” of religious freedom in the country.
The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also recommended that Congress raise the issue of religious freedom during US-India bilateral meetings and hold hearings on it.
In its Annual Report on Religious FreedomUSCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a “country of particular concern” over the state of religious freedom along with several other countries.
USCIRF has been making similar recommendations to the State Department since 2020, which have not been accepted.
USCIRF recommendations are not binding on the State Department.
‘False facts’: India
India had earlier pulled up USCIRF for “misrepresenting” facts. India has also described it as an “organization of particular concern”.
In July, in strong reaction, Ministry of External Affairs said that “these comments reflect a colossal lack of understanding of India and its constitutional framework, its pluralism and its democratic ethos.”
It said, ‘We have seen biased and inaccurate commentary on India by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).’
“Regrettably, USCIRF continues to repeatedly misrepresent facts in its statements and reports in pursuit of its motivated agenda. Such actions only serve to reinforce concerns about the organization’s credibility and impartiality.” works.”
Laws target freedom of religion and press: USCIRF
In the India section of its latest report, the USCIRF alleged that in 2022, the state of religious freedom in India continued to deteriorate.
Throughout the years, the Indian government at the national, state and local levels promoted and implemented religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting religious conversions, interfaith relationshipThe wear hijaband cow slaughter, which negatively impacts Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits and Adivasis.
“The national government has resorted to surveillance, harassment, destruction of property, and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and by targeting non-governmental organizations – particularly religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf – significant Continued to suppress voices. NGO) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA),” USCIRF alleged.
Report fails to capture cultural nuances: Experts
Responding to questions, State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters that USCIRF is not a branch of the State Department or the executive branch, and its report reflects the importance of religious freedom to the American people.
“While the report’s recommendations for designations overlap somewhat with the State Department’s list of countries of particular concern, it is not entirely conclusive. Questions or comments about this report should be directed to governments or other entities directly should approach the Commission,” Mr Patel said on Monday.
The Foundation of Indian and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), a US-based non-profit organisation, criticized USCIRF for its “biased” report.
FIIDS’s Khanderao Kand said in a statement, “While the USCIRF predictably seeks to revive its annual case against India for inclusion in the CPC, it does so with a weak set of data points, Which are predictably fraught with both omission and commission.”
“It conveniently lists delays in court cases but conveniently omits the fact that the Assam High Court actually ordered the implementation of the NRC, not the government,” Mr Kand said.
Furthermore, the report fails to acknowledge the cultural and economic importance of cows to Indian villagers, not to mention the constitutional ban on cow slaughter.
It conveniently ignores the fact that the houses bulldozed were illegal and notified, and the list of omissions goes on. Surprisingly, USCIRF has failed to mention the beheadings and targeted killings of Hindus by jihadist Muslims in Kashmir.
“Moreover, USCIRF appears to have a biased agenda of generalizing isolated incidents without considering the complexities of India’s diverse population of 1.3 billion people. It is clear that USCIRF’s new effort lacks the necessary impartiality and objectivity, and this calls into question their true intentions and credibility,” Kand said.
Muslim organization welcomed the report
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) welcomed the decision of USCIRF to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern for the fourth year in a row.
IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed said, “This decision confirms what IMAC has said for years that India’s government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has systematically curtailed the religious freedom of minority communities, especially Muslims and Christians.” continues to violate.”
“It is high time the State Department acted on the USCIRF recommendation and held India accountable as the situation on the ground becomes increasingly violent and dangerous for its religious minorities. We particularly welcome that the report highlights the systematic and appalling harassment of journalists,” Mr. Ahmed said.