India Rebukes USCIRF Report, Calls it “Malicious” and “Biased”
India has strongly rejected the latest report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), labeling it “malicious” and “biased.” Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s discontent, stating that the USCIRF has a history of misrepresenting facts and promoting a politically-driven narrative about India.
Jaiswal urged the USCIRF to focus on addressing human rights issues within the United States, rather than interfering in India’s internal matters. This response comes after the USCIRF released its Country Update on India, criticizing the country’s religious freedom conditions.
The USCIRF report alleged that India’s government has cultivated an environment hostile toward religious minority communities, particularly Muslims. However, India maintains that the report is agenda-driven and undermines the country’s secular and democratic values.
India’s criticism of the USCIRF is not new. Previously, India’s Official Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, expressed similar concerns regarding the USCIRF’s 2022 report, calling it “misinformed” and “flawed.”
The ongoing tension between India and the USCIRF highlights the complexities of international religious freedom and the differing perspectives on how it should be addressed.
India’s rejection of the USCIRF report underscores its commitment to protecting its sovereignty and democratic values, while also emphasizing the need for organizations like the USCIRF to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
