New Delhi – The Indian government has vehemently criticized a recent report published by the US State Department focusing on religious freedom, expressing strong disagreement with its findings. The report, released ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States next month, highlighted concerns regarding religious rights violations in India.
The 2022 International Religious Freedom Report, compiled by the US State Department, was released by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at an event in Washington. While there was no mention of India in Blinken’s official speech, a background briefing for reporters featured unusually strong and detailed remarks on the state of India’s minorities.
In response, India has firmly rejected the findings of the report, labeling it biased and motivated. The Indian government stated that the report’s claims of continued targeted attacks against religious communities, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu Dalits, and indigenous communities, were baseless and lacking evidence.
According to the transcript of the briefing uploaded on the US State Department website, an unnamed senior official outlined various allegations against India. The official cited incidents of dehumanizing rhetoric, including open calls for genocide against Muslims, lynching and hate-fueled violence, attacks on houses of worship and home demolitions, and instances of impunity and clemency for those involved in attacks on religious minorities. The official also mentioned some restrictions on religious attire at the state level.
Title: India Strongly Rejects US State Department Report on Religious Freedom, Calls it Biased and Motivated
Date: May 16, 2023
New Delhi – The Indian government has vehemently criticized a recent report published by the US State Department focusing on religious freedom, expressing strong disagreement with its findings. The report, released ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States next month, highlighted concerns regarding religious rights violations in India.
The 2022 International Religious Freedom Report, compiled by the US State Department, was released by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at an event in Washington. While there was no mention of India in Blinken’s official speech, a background briefing for reporters featured unusually strong and detailed remarks on the state of India’s minorities.
In response, India has firmly rejected the findings of the report, labeling it biased and motivated. The Indian government stated that the report’s claims of continued targeted attacks against religious communities, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu Dalits, and indigenous communities, were baseless and lacking evidence.
According to the transcript of the briefing uploaded on the US State Department website, an unnamed senior official outlined various allegations against India. The official cited incidents of dehumanizing rhetoric, including open calls for genocide against Muslims, lynching and hate-fueled violence, attacks on houses of worship and home demolitions, and instances of impunity and clemency for those involved in attacks on religious minorities. The official also mentioned some restrictions on religious attire at the state level.
The Indian government, however, has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the report fails to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the country’s religious landscape. Indian officials argue that India is a vibrant democracy with a robust legal framework that guarantees religious freedom to all its citizens.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The report appears to be an attempt to selectively build a narrative against India, without any objective assessment. It is deeply regrettable that the report ignores India’s longstanding commitment to tolerance, inclusivity, and harmony.”
India further emphasized that it maintains an open dialogue with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations and religious leaders, to ensure the protection and promotion of religious freedom. The government stated that it would continue to work towards maintaining communal harmony and upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens.
The timing of the report’s release, just prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about potential political motivations. However, both the US State Department and the Indian government have not made any direct connection between the report’s publication and the upcoming visit.
As Prime Minister Modi prepares for his visit to the United States, it is expected that discussions on various bilateral issues, including trade, security, and cooperation in areas such as technology and climate change, will take center stage. The two countries are likely to engage in constructive dialogue to address any concerns and work towards further strengthening their strategic partnership.
While the US State Department report on religious freedom has caused a stir in India, the Indian government’s strong rejection of its findings reflects its firm stance on the matter. It remains to be seen how this disagreement will impact the bilateral relationship between India and the United States in the coming months.
The Indian government, however, has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the report fails to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the country’s religious landscape. Indian officials argue that India is a vibrant democracy with a robust legal framework that guarantees religious freedom to all its citizens.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The report appears to be an attempt to selectively build a narrative against India, without any objective assessment. It is deeply regrettable that the report ignores India’s longstanding commitment to tolerance, inclusivity, and harmony.”
India further emphasized that it maintains an open dialogue with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations and religious leaders, to ensure the protection and promotion of religious freedom. The government stated that it would continue to work towards maintaining communal harmony and upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens.
The timing of the report’s release, just prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about potential political motivations. However, both the US State Department and the Indian government have not made any direct connection between the report’s publication and the upcoming visit.
As Prime Minister Modi prepares for his visit to the United States, it is expected that discussions on various bilateral issues, including trade, security, and cooperation in areas such as technology and climate change, will take center stage. The two countries are likely to engage in constructive dialogue to address any concerns and work towards further strengthening their strategic partnership.
While the US State Department report on religious freedom has caused a stir in India, the Indian government’s strong rejection of its findings reflects its firm stance on the matter. It remains to be seen how this disagreement will impact the bilateral relationship between India and the United States in the coming months.
