Explorer

US-Based Hindu Body Terms USCIRF’s Report On Religious Freedom As ‘Hinduphobic’

Meanwhile, Christian and Muslim groups, the Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations and the Indian American Muslim Council in separate statements applauded the USCIRF recommendation. 

New Delhi: A US-based Hindu body has termed the USCIRF report on religious freedom as a work of “hinduphobic” commission members while Muslim and Christian groups hailed the observations made in it, demanding that the US declare India as a "country of particular concern", reported news agency PTI. 

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report recommended to the Biden Administration to designate India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and 11 other nations as "countries of particular concern" in the context of religious freedom. However, the recommendations are not binding on the US government.

HinduPACT, an initiative of the World Hindu Council of America, issued a statement regarding the report alleging that the USCIRF has been taken over by "Indophobic and Hinduphobic members".

Whereas, The American Muslim Institution (AMI) and its associate organisations applauded the USCIRF recommendation, saying religious freedom conditions in India "significantly worsened" in 2021.

Both the Christian and Muslim groups, The Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations and the Indian American Muslim Council in separate statements also applauded the USCIRF recommendation. 

ALSO READ: Quad Summit: PM Modi's First Face-To-Face Meet With US Prez Biden Since Russia-Ukraine Crisis In Tokyo Next Month

A day after the release of the report, USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava, during a special virtual congressional briefing, had alleged that Indian government officials were tolerating and engaging in religious persecution of Muslims and Christians with prolific mob violence.

"This year's report follows a pattern of reports that have appeared in previous years. Based on publicly available information on topics like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Kashmir, the USCIRF report is a copy-and-paste of talking points peddled by an agglomeration of Islamist groups working with radical Islamist group Justice for All on whose platform USCIRF commissioners appear regularly," alleged Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduPACT, quoted by the news agency. 

"It is now obvious that the USCIRF has been taken over by the Indophobic and Hinduphobic members. Many of these members have attended India and Hindu bashing events. It is no surprise that their selective observations are meant to promote a political agenda and further their electoral reach in select communities," said Ajay Shah, president of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA).

Meanwhile, Koshy George, Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations, in a statement recommended that the president and the US Administration accept the USCIRF recommendations and designate India as "country of particular concern" while it could still help protect American interests in that region for the long-term.

ALSO READ: Covid Update: Sharp Spike In Positivity Rate. New Cases Cross 3000-Mark In Last 24 Hrs

"This could also go a long way in helping the Union of India remain a functioning liberal democracy with respect for all religious and linguistic minorities," he said.

Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director at Indian-American Muslim Council said they appluad the USCIRF for "refusing to cave in to the lobbying of US-based right-wing Hindu nationalist groups and making clear that the ground reality of minorities in India is of constant harassment and violence".

"Given the damning information presented in this report, US State Department officials must now act on the recommendations made by the USCIRF by officially designating India as a CPC and by imposing targeted sanctions upon the Indian government to hold officials responsible for encouraging hate," said Syed Afzal Ali, president of the IAMC.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

UP: 10 Children Dead As Huge Fire Breaks Out In Pediatric Ward Of Jhansi Medical College, Rescue Ops On
UP: 10 Children Dead As Huge Fire Breaks Out In Pediatric Ward Of Jhansi Medical College, Rescue Ops On
PM Modi At 1st Bodoland Mahotsav In Delhi Says ‘Govt Making Steady Efforts For Peace In Northeast’ — Top Quotes
PM Modi At 1st Bodoland Mahotsav In Delhi Says ‘Govt Making Steady Efforts For Peace In Northeast’ — Top Quotes
UP: 2 Groups Clash In Mau After Bike Collision, 2 Police Personnel Injured In Stone-Pelting, Vehicles Damaged
UP: 2 Groups Clash In Mau After Bike Collision, 2 Police Personnel Injured In Stone-Pelting, Vehicles Damaged
SA Vs IND, 4th T20I Live: India Three Wickets Shy Off Massive Victory
SA Vs IND, 4th T20I Live: India Three Wickets Shy Off Massive Victory
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Rajasthan Administrative Officers' Union Meets CM Bhajanlal Sharma Ahead Of Tonk By-Election ClashUPPSC Protest Sparks Student Uprising in Prayagraj as RSS-BJP Hold Crucial Meeting Ahead of UP By-ElectionsUPPSC Protest Escalates in Prayagraj, Students Demand Single-Shift Exam Schedule | ABP NewsBJPs Furious Over Ghulam Ahmad Mir's Remarks Says, 'Congress Wants to Create a Separate Nation'

Photo Gallery

Embed widget