- 01 April, 2026
April 1, 2026: The USCIRF has recommended that India be designated as a Country of Particular Concern for ‘engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations’
Christians in India voiced concern after the federal government rejected a report by a United States agency that highlighted deficiencies in religious freedom in the country.
In its most recent report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for “targeted sanctions” against the Indian government’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and the right-wing volunteer paramilitary organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).
Dismissing the report as “motivated and biased”, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States”.
“It was the usual denial by a regime, which desperately wants to sweep the truth under the carpet,” said Fr Cedric Prakash SJ, a rights activist.
The United Christian Forum, an ecumenical watchdog on persecution, has documented a consistent rise in attacks on Christians since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in 2014.
From 140 incidents in 2014, the number rose to 834 over a decade of its rule by 2024. Up to November last year, 706 anti-Christian hate crime incidents had been recorded, according to its national coordinator, A.C. Michael.
The USCIRF is a federal government commission established under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. It tracks the universal right to freedom of religion or belief globally and advises government policy, though it holds no enforcement powers.
The commission has recommended that the US administration “freeze” the assets of RAW and RSS, along with individuals linked to them. It also proposed a ban on their entry into the United States.
The organisation has previously been banned, including in 1948 when its member Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, during the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977, and again following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
A group of 275 retired judges, bureaucrats, and military officers also criticised the USCIRF report, describing it as “biased” and “off-the-mark.”
The USCIRF report places India on a blacklist and has recommended that it be categorised under Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) for “engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing and egregious religious freedom violations”.
The commission further urged the US to connect future security assistance and bilateral trade relations with India to progress in religious freedom. It also recommended that India permit US government bodies to carry out in-country evaluations of religious freedom.
Referring to Freedom of Religion laws enacted in 13 states, the commission noted that these laws not only impose stricter prison terms but also contribute to an increase in vigilante attacks against minorities.
A.C. Michael stated that anti-conversion laws in these states are being enforced in most BJP-ruled regions “under pressure from the RSS”.
New state law violates religious freedom rights, say western Indian bishop.
Courtesy: The Tablet
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