India rejects US report on religious freedom

India: A day after a US-based analysis organisation published a report suggesting the Biden administration designate India on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs), New Delhi has rejected the claims and called it “biased” as well as a “motivated” report.

The critical remarks from India came as a report published by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) claimed that the incumbent government engaged in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations” of the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Addressing a regular press conference in the national capital, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asserted that the Commission continues to regurgitate such comments. He added New Delhi rejects the “misrepresentation of facts” which only serves to “discredit USCIRF itself”.

Also, the spokesperson suggested the concerned organisation to develop a better understanding of India, its plurality and its democratic ethos.

“The US Commission on International Religious Freedom continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India, this time in its 2023 annual report,” he said. “We reject such misrepresentation of facts which only serves to discredit USCIRF itself,” said Bagchi.