‘Biased, Politically Motivated’: India Trashes US Report on Religious Freedom

New Delhi: The Indian government has strongly rejected a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling the organisation biased and politically driven. The USCIRF report claims a decline in religious freedom in India and recommends designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticised the report, stating that it misrepresents facts and promotes a “motivated narrative.” Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s stance, calling the USCIRF a politically motivated body that continues to spread misinformation.

Our response to media queries regarding Country Update on India in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report:https://t.co/NPNfWd7QE9 pic.twitter.com/8m1xQ97dyK

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 3, 2024

“The government rejects this malicious report, which only discredits USCIRF further,” Jaiswal said. He also urged the commission to focus on human rights issues within the US rather than pushing “agenda-driven” narratives about India.

India has consistently condemned USCIRF’s reports, accusing the commission of lacking a true understanding of the nation’s social fabric and spreading anti-India propaganda.

The MEA has previously criticised similar reports for being uninformed and biased.