'Biased, Inaccurate': India Hits Out At US Commission's Religious Freedom Report

A Congressional appointment is required for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). However, the US State Department is not obligated to follow its recommendations.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. (Image Source: File Photo)

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom's most recent findings, which assert that religious freedom and related human rights are in danger in the nation, were denounced by India on Thursday as "biassed and inaccurate," adding that the organisation continues to be motivated by its own prejudices and biases, news agency PTI reported.

A Congressional appointment is required for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). However, the US State Department is not obligated to follow its recommendations.

In an uncommon year-end report of the state of its evaluation of religious freedom in the nation, the USCIRF claimed on Tuesday that religious freedom and associated human rights continue to be threatened in India.

When questioned about the report at press conferrence, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We consider these biased and inaccurate observations about India by USCIRF. They (USCIRF) have a tendency to consistently misrepresent facts and this shows their lack of understanding of India, our constitutional framework, plurality and our robust democratic system."

"Given its past record, we are not surprised to see that USCIRF continues to be guided by its prejudices and pursues a motivated agenda that calls into question its own credibility," Bagchi said.

The USCIRF had recommended that the US Department of State designate India as a "country of particular concern" for engaging in or tolerating persistent, systemic, and egregious violations of religious freedom in accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act in its 2022 Annual Report earlier this year.

Up to now, the US State Department has declined to implement the commission's recommendations.

(With Inputs From PTI)