The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has dismissed a recent U.S. State Department report on religious freedom, calling it “deeply biased” and misrepresentative of India’s social fabric. The report, which highlighted alleged abuses against religious minorities, including increased hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and demolitions of homes and places of worship, has been criticized for relying on selective facts and biased sources. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the report lacks a nuanced understanding of India’s constitutional and legal frameworks, which are designed to protect religious diversity and freedom.
India’s government emphasized that the U.S. report presents a one-sided view by highlighting certain incidents to fit a preconceived narrative. The MEA also noted that India has robust legal systems and processes that safeguard religious minorities, and that these protections are enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Jaiswal further stated that the report’s critique of Indian regulations, such as financial compliance laws, was also unfounded, as similar laws exist in the U.S. and other democracies.
In its defense, the MEA pointed out that India, too, has been raising concerns about religious freedom violations abroad, particularly in the U.S., where incidents of hate crimes, vandalism of religious sites, and attacks on minorities, including Indians, have been on the rise. India has urged the U.S. not to use such reports to interfere in its internal affairs.
India has consistently pushed back against such external assessments, maintaining that the country has a vibrant and pluralistic society. It also reiterated its commitment to protecting all religious communities, stressing that national dialogue on issues related to human rights and religious freedom should be conducted within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.
This diplomatic pushback from India highlights the complex and sensitive nature of international human rights discussions and underscores the need for balanced reporting that takes into account the diversity and legal systems of individual countries(India Today)
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