The USCIRF report recommended the US government to designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" over "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations" of religious freedom. India has previously refuted similar reports by the organisation, accusing it of being "biased".
The 2023 report by the US State Department on religious freedom in India claimed violent attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims and Christians, Similar reports have been rejected by India in the past as "biased" and having a poor understanding of the country.
The statement came a day after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) alleged that last year, the Indian government failed to address communal violence disproportionately affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples).
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such reports continue to be based on "misinformation and flawed understanding".
India suggested the concerned organisation to develop a better understanding of India, its plurality and its democratic ethos.
Antony Blinken said the US will continue to carefully monitor the status of freedom of religion or belief in every country around the world and advocate for those facing religious persecution or discrimination.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the comments reflect a "severe lack of understanding" of India and its constitutional framework and accused the USCIRF of continuing to "misrepresent facts time and again".
The US State Department has also included Russia, Burma, and Saudi Arabia in the list.
If at all one has to grade the countries, the most secular country in the world is India, he said in his address at the convocation of the Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs rejected the findings of a report US state department's 2018 International Religious Freedom on Sunday and said 'India is proud of its secular credentials and is committed to tolerance and inclusion.
Chen Zongrong, an official overseeing religious affairs, said Beijing would not allow “foreign forces” to govern the country’s faith groups.
The move comes two day after US cut off security aide to Pakistan for its continuous support to extremist elements.
The US has announced a grant of nearly $500,000 for a non-governmental organisation to come up with proposals to develop early warning systems for “reducing religiously-motivated violence and discrimination” in India.
The report released by Rex Tillerson also mentioned instances of attacks on people suspected of making what were claimed to be derogatory remarks against Islam.
Restrictions on foreign-funded NGOs and religious freedom along with corruption and police and security force abuses are among the most significant human rights problems in India, according to a US report.
Washington: Religious tolerance in India is "deteriorating" while religious freedom violations are "increasing", a rights expert has told American lawmakers. "A pluralistic democracy, in India today religious tolerance is deteriorating and religious
New Delhi: Reacting strongly to a US report which said religious freedom in India was on a “negative trajectory” in 2015, India today said it “fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and
Washington: The US should designate Pakistan among nations listed as worst violators of religious freedom due to frequent attacks on minorities including Hindus in the country, an independent US religious commission has recommended to the
Washington: The State Department was "disappointed" as India had refused visas to members of a US religious commission which plays important role in reviewing violations of religious freedom around the world, a top State Department
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