US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday released the State Department's 2023 religious freedom report, highlighting a "concerning increase" in hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and the demolition of homes and places of worship for minority groups in India.
While presenting the report, Blinked emphasised that religious freedom continues to be denied to millions globally, even as efforts to protect it are ongoing. He noted that major issues in India, where senior US officials have repeatedly raised concerns about religious freedom with their Indian counterparts over the past year.
"In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship of members of minority faith communities," Blinken stated. The report detailed incidents of attacks on minority groups, including killings, assaults, and vandalism of their places of worship.
The State Department's report noted that ten of India's 28 states have laws restricting religious conversions for all faiths, with some imposing penalties for forced conversions for marriage purposes. The report also highlighted the challenges faced by minority groups in securing protection from violence and in ensuring their freedom of religion or belief.
Last year, India dismissed the State Department's religious freedom report, calling it based on "misinformation and flawed understanding". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised the report as "motivated and biased," arguing that such commentary undermines the credibility of these reports.
Despite these differences, the MEA reaffirmed the value of India's partnership with the US and expressed commitment to continuing frank discussions on mutual concerns.
The issue of religious freedom has also surfaced domestically, with opposition parties accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "hate speech" during the Lok Sabha election campaign. PM Modi, in a rally in Rajasthan, had accused the Congress of planning to distribute money to "infiltrators" and with "more children," a claim the BJP has denied, countering the Congress's allegations.