USCIRF flags India’s ‘collapsing religious freedom’

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Last Updated05/10/2024

The Centre on Thursday (October 3, 2024) rejected the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) report on religious freedom in India, calling the Commission a “biased organisation with a political agenda.”

On October 3, 2024, the Indian government dismissed the findings of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling the organization "biased" and accusing it of having a political agenda.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly rejected USCIRF's 2024 annual report, which criticized religious freedom conditions in India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to the media queries regarding the report, emphasizing that the government rejects the allegations made by USCIRF. He criticized the organization for misrepresenting facts and pushing a narrative that he described as malicious.
Biased Organization: Jaiswal labeled USCIRF a biased body with a political agenda, and claimed that its narrative on India is motivated and misinformed.
Rejection of Allegations: The MEA firmly denied the findings of the report, dismissing the claims as part of a broader effort to discredit India.
Counter Accusation: The MEA urged USCIRF to focus on addressing human rights concerns in the United States instead of making unproductive criticisms about India.

The 2024 USCIRF report accused India of violating religious freedoms, recommending that India be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” for engaging in severe violations. The report highlighted multiple concerns:

Anti-conversion and Anti-terrorism Laws: The report raised concerns about the strengthening of state-level laws that it deemed discriminatory, including anti-conversion laws and anti-terrorism regulations.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): It criticized the publication of rules to implement the CAA, claiming it targets religious minorities.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC): The passage of the UCC in Uttarakhand was also flagged for its potential impact on religious minorities.

Ayodhya Temple and Aftermath: Following the consecration of the Ayodhya temple in January 2024, the report noted a surge in attacks against religious minorities, particularly in Muslim neighborhoods, across six states.
Expropriation of Mosques: The report alleged that authorities repurposed several mosques for other uses, violating India’s legal framework.

Anti-conversion Laws: Dozens of Christians were reportedly arrested for alleged forced conversions under state anti-conversion laws.
Anti-cow Slaughter Laws: Vigilante groups were accused of using anti-cow slaughter laws to target Muslims, Christians, and Dalits, often with impunity. The report claimed perpetrators are seldom punished and are often released on bail within 24 hours.

Election Rhetoric: In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the report accused PM Modi and other officials of spreading hateful stereotypes about Muslims.
Misinformation and Vigilantism: The USCIRF highlighted instances of disinformation by politicians, citing speeches that incited violence against religious minorities.

The report detailed numerous incidents of violence against religious minorities, particularly Christians:
Attacks on Christians: From January to March 2024, 161 incidents of violence against Christians were reported, including attacks on churches, prayer meetings, and educational institutions.

The report also highlighted government actions against civil society organizations, particularly faith-based NGOs, under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
FCRA Cancellations: The USCIRF pointed out that several Christian NGOs, including the Church of North India and Synodical Board of Social Service, had their licenses canceled under FCRA regulations, hindering their operations.