India Reacts Sharply to US Report on Religious Freedom

The members of USCIRF were denied visa to India to discuss and report on the conditions of religious freedom.

Representational image. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refused to take cognizance of the annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (UNCIRF) released on Wednesday.

The report claims that the religious freedom in India was on a “negative trajectory” in 2015. Reacting to the comment, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the USCIRF “fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and its society”.

In its annual report, USCIRF asked the Indian government to publicly rebuke officials and religious leaders who make derogatory statements about religious communities.

USCIRF alleged that members of the ruling BJP tacitly supported these groups and used religiously-divisive language to further inflame tensions.

Members of USCIRF were denied visas by Indian government in March on the argument that religious freedom is enshrined in the constitution and any foreign third party has no locus standi to comment or investigate on it.

Also read: US Religious Commission Denied Visa for India Visit

Minority communities, especially Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs, experienced numerous incidents of intimidation, harassment, and violence, largely at the hands of Hindu nationalist groups.

<a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/USCIRF%202016%20Annual%20Report.pdf">USCIRF Report</a>

(With PTI inputs)