The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has once again put the spotlight on the worsening of religious freedom in India. Its report stated that individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, and religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested.
The report highlighted that places of worship have been demolished in India. The USCIRF said these are severe violations of religious freedom. It drew concerns about the use of misinformation and disinformation, including hate speech, by government officials to incite violent attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship.
It stated that vigilante groups and self-proclaimed cow protectors frequently exploit the anti-cow slaughter laws to target religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Dalits. As such, the USCIRF recommended the US Department of State to designate India as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Also Read: Breaking: Iran Missiles Target Israel’s Tel Nof Airbase, Benjamin Netanyahu Says Tehran Will Pay
USCIRF Concerned About India’s Citizenship Act
Moreover, the United States has issues with India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA makes it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to get the Indian Citizenship.
Earlier this year, the US State Department spokesperson said respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles. However, the Indian government said it was their internal matter.
However, the USCIRF report stated that the CAA violates the Indian Constitution’s principles prohibiting religious discrimination and its guarantees of equal protection under the law. It cited human rights advocates saying that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with the CAA, would allow the Indian government to expel those it deemed non-citizens, which poses a particular risk to India’s Muslim population.
