Spotlight on Pak-origin US religious freedom body commissioner after report sparks row
Trending News
4 days, 10 hours ago

Spotlight on Pak-origin US religious freedom body commissioner after report sparks row

India Today  

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 2025 annual report on Tuesday which alleged that religious freedom conditions in India continued to deteriorate as attacks and discrimination against religious minorities continued to rise. ABOUT THE USCIRF 2025 REPORT The USCIRF report called for designating India as a "country of particular concern" or CPC, for engaging in and "tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act ". The USCIRF recommended the US government to impose "targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as Vikash Yadav and RAW, for their culpability in severe violations of religious freedom by freezing their assets and/or barring their entry into the United States". In the report, the American entity also recommended to the US government to conduct a "review assessing whether arms sales to India, such as MQ-9B drones under Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act, may contribute to or exacerbate religious freedom violations". The USCIRF describes itself as an independent, bipartisan US federal government agency created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, as amended.

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History of this topic

‘Biased’: India disses US panel report that seeks targeted sanctions on RAW
Top News
4 days, 17 hours ago

‘Biased’: India disses US panel report that seeks targeted sanctions on RAW

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday rejected a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that sought targeted sanctions on the country’s external intelligence agency, and said the body was engaged in a campaign of “biased and politically motivated assessments”. The Indian government has usually reacted angrily to reports by USCIRF, an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by …

USCIRF’s religious freedom report on India: Allegations, rejections, and prejudice
4 days, 19 hours ago

USCIRF’s religious freedom report on India: Allegations, rejections, and prejudice

Op India  

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recently released another dubious report—an annual ritual of sorts to defame India by accusing it of undermining the interests of its religious minorities. The report was strongly rejected by India, which accused the panel of undermining the country’s reputation as a stronghold of democracy and called for USCIRF to be designated as …

India Responds to USCIRF's Report, Accuses Commission Of Bias, Politically Motivated
Top News
4 days, 20 hours ago

India Responds to USCIRF's Report, Accuses Commission Of Bias, Politically Motivated

ABP News  

The Ministry of External Affairs said that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom should be designated as the entity of concern and also noted that the USCIRF 2025 Annual Report once again continues its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments. “We have seen the recently released 2025 Annual Report of the US Commission on International Religious …

India calls US religious freedom panel 'entity of concern', rejects its report
Trending News
4 days, 21 hours ago

India calls US religious freedom panel 'entity of concern', rejects its report

Hindustan Times  

India on Wednesday said that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom should be designated as an entity of concern. It said that the latest annual report continues its pattern of issuing “biased and politically motivated assessments.” “We have seen the recently released 2025 Annual Report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which once again continues its …

'USCIRF should be designated entity of concern': India slams US agency's 'biased' religious freedom report
4 days, 21 hours ago

'USCIRF should be designated entity of concern': India slams US agency's 'biased' religious freedom report

Firstpost  

A day after USCIRF report claimed that attacks against India’s minorities rose in 2024, the MEA on Wednesday dismissed the report calling it “biased and politically motivated” and said that USCIRF should in fact be designated as an “entity of concern” because of its “efforts to undermine India’s standing as a beacon of democracy” A day after United States Commission …

MEA Randhir Jaiswal slams USCIRF: Continued pattern of biased and politically motivated assessments
4 days, 22 hours ago

MEA Randhir Jaiswal slams USCIRF: Continued pattern of biased and politically motivated assessments

The Hindu  

The Union government on Wednesday lashed out at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom for its latest report that expresses concerns about “attacks and discrimination” against religious minorities in India and calls for sanctions against India’s intelligence agency. Modi accused of hateful rhetoric In its sharpest criticism thus far, the USCIRF, a congressional body that does not represent the …

US religious freedom panel recommends sanctions against India’s RAW over alleged assassination plots: Report
Trending News
5 days, 4 hours ago

US religious freedom panel recommends sanctions against India’s RAW over alleged assassination plots: Report

Hindustan Times  

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended targeted sanctions against India's external spy agency Research and Analysis Wing over alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatists, news agency Reuters reported. The panel also recommended the US government “designate India as a 'country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations. “In 2024, religious freedom conditions in India continued …

U.S. religious freedom panel urges sanctions against India’s R&AW
5 days, 6 hours ago

U.S. religious freedom panel urges sanctions against India’s R&AW

The Hindu  

Minorities in India face deteriorating treatment, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said on Tuesday, and it recommended targeted sanctions against India's spy agency Research and Analysis Wing over alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatists. "In 2024, religious freedom conditions in India continued to deteriorate as attacks and discrimination against religious minorities continued to rise," the U.S. …

US religious freedom panel seeks sanctions on India's RAW over alleged murder plots
5 days, 10 hours ago

US religious freedom panel seeks sanctions on India's RAW over alleged murder plots

India Today  

Minorities in India face deteriorating treatment, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a report on Tuesday. According to news agency Reuters, the panel's report recommended sanctions against India's external spy agency over alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh separatists. "In 2024, religious freedom conditions in India continued to deteriorate as attacks and discrimination against religious minorities …

India calls US religious freedom panel 'entity of concern', rejects its report
5 days, 10 hours ago

India calls US religious freedom panel 'entity of concern', rejects its report

India Today  

India asserted that the US Commission on International Religious Freedom should be designated an "entity of concern" as it rejected its report suggesting minorities were facing deteriorating treatment in the country. "The USCIRF's persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on India's vibrant multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than a genuine concern for religious freedom. WHAT …

India Rejects US Religious Freedom Report As 'Malicious', Says 'Peddling Motivated Narrative'
5 months, 3 weeks ago

India Rejects US Religious Freedom Report As 'Malicious', Says 'Peddling Motivated Narrative'

ABP News  

India on Thursday rejected a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, calling it an “attempt to peddle a motivated narrative”. Reacting to the US report, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared India’s stance on it and said that USCIRF “continues to misrepresent facts and peddles a motivated narrative about India.” MEA also called USCIRF a …

USCIRF flags 'increasing abuses' against religious minorities in India
5 months, 4 weeks ago

USCIRF flags 'increasing abuses' against religious minorities in India

New Indian Express  

WASHINGTON: A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern". Authored by senior policy analyst Sema Hasan, the section on India describes the use of misinformation and disinformation -- including hate speech by government officials -- to incite violent attacks against …

India rejects "deeply biased" US report on international religious freedom
9 months ago

India rejects "deeply biased" US report on international religious freedom

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India has categorically rejected the US State Department's 2023 report on international religious freedom as "deeply biased" and lacking understanding of India's social dynamics. "In 2023, India has officially taken up numerous cases in the US of hate crimes, racial attacks on Indian nationals and other minorities, vandalisation and targeting of places of worship, violence and mistreatment by …

India rejects USCIRF report on religious freedom
9 months ago

India rejects USCIRF report on religious freedom

Op India  

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected the US State Department’s report on international religious freedom calling it “deeply biased”. The report also appears to challenge the integrity of certain legal judgments given by Indian courts,” Jaiswal said. The report also appears to challenge the integrity of certain legal judgments given by Indian courts,” Randhir Jaiswal said. The USCIRF …

'Deeply biased, motivated by votebank considerations': India rejects US report on religious freedom
9 months ago

'Deeply biased, motivated by votebank considerations': India rejects US report on religious freedom

India TV News  

New Delhi: India strongly responded to a recent report shared by the United States, calling it "deeply biased" and lacking an understanding of the country's social fabric. The Ministry of External Affairs said the report is visibly driven by vote bank considerations and a prescriptive outlook, and highlighted several instances of hate crimes, racial attacks and targeting places of worship …

Antony Blinken claims increase in hate speech in India citing USCIRF report
9 months ago

Antony Blinken claims increase in hate speech in India citing USCIRF report

Op India  

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, an organisation India has strongly criticised in the past, has again raised ‘concerns’ over religious freedoms, citing the alleged rise in ‘hate speech’, demolitions and anti-conversion laws. Earlier in May, India rejected a similar report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of “reinforcing …

‘It has no Hindu members’: Diaspora body slams USCIRF for ‘biased’ reports on India
10 months, 1 week ago

‘It has no Hindu members’: Diaspora body slams USCIRF for ‘biased’ reports on India

Hindustan Times  

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has been producing “biased” reports on India and Hindus as the religion has no representation in the commission, according to FIIDS, an Indian diaspora body in the United States of America. That is not represented on the commission, and this is going to be a big miss in terms of bringing the …

'Desire To Complicate...': Russia Claims US Trying To Interfere In Indian Elections
10 months, 3 weeks ago

'Desire To Complicate...': Russia Claims US Trying To Interfere In Indian Elections

News 18  

Russia has claimed that the United States is trying to interfere in Indian General Election, saying that it is part of a campaign to interfere in India’s internal affairs. I think that this is a desire to complicate the ongoing general parliamentary elections in India on the part of the United States and is part of a campaign to interfere …

USCIRF is biased and has a political agenda, says Ministry of External Affairs
10 months, 4 weeks ago

USCIRF is biased and has a political agenda, says Ministry of External Affairs

The Hindu  

India on Thursday hit out at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and said that it is trying to “interfere” in the Indian election process. Speaking to the media during the weekly interaction, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal described the U.S. government entity, which came out with a report on religious freedom earlier this …

India Rejects USCIRF Accusations, Denounces Interference
10 months, 4 weeks ago

India Rejects USCIRF Accusations, Denounces Interference

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India on Thursday accused the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom of trying to interfere in the Indian electoral process and claimed that the US’ efforts “will never succeed”. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed.” On Wednesday, the USCIRF in its report had named India among the 17 …

India firmly rejects USCIRF report on religious freedom in India
10 months, 4 weeks ago

India firmly rejects USCIRF report on religious freedom in India

Op India  

India on Thursday rejected the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of “reinforcing discriminatory nationalist policies” and said the organisation is completely ‘biased’ and it doesn’t even expect from the organization to understand country’s diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is a U.S. …

'Propaganda against India': MEA rejects US report which alleges BJP of 'reinforcing discriminatory policies' – India TV
10 months, 4 weeks ago

'Propaganda against India': MEA rejects US report which alleges BJP of 'reinforcing discriminatory policies' – India TV

India TV News  

India on Thursday rejected the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of "reinforcing discriminatory nationalist policies" and said the organisation is completely 'biased' and doesn't even expect from the organization to understand the country's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is a US …

US Commission to hold hearing on religious freedom in India despite New Delhi rejects 'biased' report
1 year, 6 months ago

US Commission to hold hearing on religious freedom in India despite New Delhi rejects 'biased' report

India TV News  

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom has announced it will hold a hearing on religious freedom in India next week. "However, over the last decade, the Indian government has enacted and enforced discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities, including anti-conversion laws, cow slaughter laws, legislation granting citizenship preferences based on religion, and restrictions on foreign funding for civil society organisations," …

'Biased, motivated': Govt rejects US report criticising India on religious freedom
1 year, 10 months ago

'Biased, motivated': Govt rejects US report criticising India on religious freedom

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India on Tuesday trashed as "motivated" and "biased" a report by the US State Department on religious freedom that criticised the country for alleged attacks on minorities. "We are aware of the release of the US State Department 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom. A senior US official said far too many governments, including Russia, India, China and …

MEA rejects U.S. State Department report citing deteriorating religious freedom in India
1 year, 10 months ago

MEA rejects U.S. State Department report citing deteriorating religious freedom in India

The Hindu  

Rejecting the U.S. government’s latest report on International Religious Freedom, which includes a chapter on India, the Ministry of External Affairs said it was based on “misinformation” and statements by officials were “motivated”. “We are aware of the release of the U.S. State Department 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a statement released on …

'Flawed understanding': Govt slams US report criticising India on religious freedom
1 year, 10 months ago

'Flawed understanding': Govt slams US report criticising India on religious freedom

India TV News  

India slams US report: The government on Tuesday rejected the report by the US State Department on religious freedom that criticised India for alleged attacks on minorities. "We are aware of the release of the US State Department 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom. A senior US official said far too many governments, including Russia, India, China and Saudi Arabia, …

US asks India to check ‘continued targeted attacks’ on minorities
1 year, 10 months ago

US asks India to check ‘continued targeted attacks’ on minorities

Al Jazeera  

State Department’s annual report on religious freedom lists attacks on Muslims and Christians in the world’s most populous nation. The US State Department on Monday released its annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians in the world’s most populous nation. A senior US official, briefing journalists on the report on condition of …

U.S. releases religious freedom report, calls on India to condemn ‘persistent’ religious violence
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. releases religious freedom report, calls on India to condemn ‘persistent’ religious violence

The Hindu  

The United States wants India to condemn persistent religious violence, a senior official said on May 15, one month before a State visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The State Department on May 15 released an annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians in the billion-plus nation led by Mr. Modi's Hindu …

India criticises USCIRF report, calls it misrepresentation of facts
1 year, 10 months ago

India criticises USCIRF report, calls it misrepresentation of facts

The Hindu  

India on May 2 categorically rejected as "biased" and "motivated" a report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that alleged "severe violations" of religious freedom in the country. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Commission continues to regurgitate such comments and India rejects the "misrepresentation of facts" which only serves to "discredit USCIRF itself". "The US …

USCIRF Marks India as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for 4th Consecutive Time
1 year, 10 months ago

USCIRF Marks India as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for 4th Consecutive Time

The Quint  

According to the USCIRF’s report this year, the conditions for religious freedom in India “continued to worsen” last year. The report stated, “Throughout the year, the Indian government at the national, state, and local levels promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting religious conversion, interfaith relationships, the wearing of hijabs, and cow slaughter, which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, …

U.S. commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom

The Hindu  

A federal U.S. commission has urged the Biden administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian Government agencies and officials responsible for “severe violations” of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets. In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the U.S State Department to designate India as a “country of particular concern” on the status of …

US commission seeks targeted sanctions on Indian govt agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom
1 year, 10 months ago

US commission seeks targeted sanctions on Indian govt agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom

Firstpost  

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom has urged the US administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets. In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a country of particular concern on …

US religious freedom panel again recommends India for blacklist
1 year, 10 months ago

US religious freedom panel again recommends India for blacklist

Al Jazeera  

For a fourth year, the independent body says India should be singled out for discrimination against Muslims and other groups. An independent commission in the United States has, for the fourth year in a row, recommended that India’s government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, be added to a religious freedom blacklist, saying that conditions in the country for religious …

How anti-India USCIRF pushes and promotes Christianity in the name of religious freedom
2 years ago

How anti-India USCIRF pushes and promotes Christianity in the name of religious freedom

Firstpost  

In almost 25 years of its existence, USCIRF has had about 65 commissioners, of which the overwhelming majority exhibited hard-core Christian roots being associated as they were with some form of missionary activities or the other Indians have a typical way of looking at the West, including its approvals, recognitions and awards. The publication of the annual United States Commission …

'Biased, Inaccurate': India Hits Out At US Commission's Religious Freedom Report
2 years, 4 months ago

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

ABP News  

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 …

Religious freedom, related human rights in India under threat: U.S. body
2 years, 4 months ago

Religious freedom, related human rights in India under threat: U.S. body

The Hindu  

Religious freedom and related human rights in India are under ongoing threat, the U. S. Commission for International Religious Freedom alleged on Tuesday in an unusual year-end update of the status of its assessment of religious freedom in the country. In its 2022 Annual Report early this year USCIRF recommended that the U. S. Department of State designate India as …

Religious freedom and related human rights in India are under threat: USCIRF alleges
2 years, 4 months ago

Religious freedom and related human rights in India are under threat: USCIRF alleges

ABP News  

Washington, Nov 22 : Religious freedom and related human rights in India are under ongoing threat, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom alleged on Tuesday in an unusual year-end update of the status of its assessment of religious freedom in the country. In its 2022 Annual Report early this year USCIRF recommended that the US Department of State designate …

Government calls U.S. body on religious freedom ‘biased’
2 years, 8 months ago

Government calls U.S. body on religious freedom ‘biased’

The Hindu  

The government on July 2 took aim once again at the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom over comments expressing “concerns” over the treatment of minorities, human rights advocates and media, which follow its report this year downgrading India’s ratings on religious freedom. Another comment by USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck said that harassment of “human rights advocates, journalists, activists, and …

Delhi reacts to US’ concern for religious freedom in India
2 years, 8 months ago

Delhi reacts to US’ concern for religious freedom in India

Live Mint  

India has reacted to reports by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom on religious freedom in the country. Indian-American diplomat Rashad Hussain earlier said that the United States was concerned about religious communities in India. India’s official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We have seen the biased and inaccurate comments on India by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. …

US reiterates concern for religious freedom in India
2 years, 8 months ago

US reiterates concern for religious freedom in India

Live Mint  

Stating that the United States is concerned about religious communities in India, US ambassador at large for international religious freedom Rashad Hussain has said that Washington is "directly dealing" with Indian officials to address the challenges. He was referring to the criticism that followed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s remarks “about attacks on places and people of worship… in …

'Unfortunate vote bank politics in international relations': India slams US report on religious freedom
2 years, 9 months ago

'Unfortunate vote bank politics in international relations': India slams US report on religious freedom

Firstpost  

The report alleged that India saw attacks on members of the minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation throughout 2021 India on Friday responded to what it termed as “ill-informed comments” by senior US officials" on religious freedom in India and said it is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. The remarks came in response …

‘Ill-informed comments’: India slams US report on religious freedom
2 years, 9 months ago

‘Ill-informed comments’: India slams US report on religious freedom

Live Mint  

The Indian government on Friday expressed its opposition to the recently released US state department’s annual report on international religious freedom, stating that the assessments are made based on biased views. “We have noted the release of US State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom and ill-informed comments by senior US officials,” said the ministry of external affairs. This …

India decries ‘biased’ US report on religious freedom
2 years, 9 months ago

India decries ‘biased’ US report on religious freedom

Al Jazeera  

India defends its record on religious tolerance after US report accused officials of supporting attacks on minority worshippers. Washington’s annual report on religious freedom around the world contained a rare – if indirect – criticism of New Delhi, its emerging ally, on Thursday, documenting incendiary comments by Indian public officials and accounts of discrimination against Muslims and Christians in India. …

China a ‘glaring example’ of religious repression, US says
2 years, 9 months ago

China a ‘glaring example’ of religious repression, US says

Al Jazeera  

US Department of State slams China for committing ‘genocide’ against Uighurs in annual report on global religious freedom. China provides a “glaring example” of how governments are cracking down on religious minorities, a US official has said, as the Department of State released its annual report on religious freedom around the world. Rashad Hussain, the US ambassador-at-large for international religious …

The changing contours of Hinduism
2 years, 10 months ago

The changing contours of Hinduism

The Hindu  

In its zeal to homogenise Hinduism and make it bear electoral dividends, the Sangh Parivar has sown the seeds of a neo-Hinduism wherein Hindus are called upon to worship a single deity and practise the same rituals across the nation. USCIRF report Disturbingly, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended in its latest report that India be …

India’s designation by the USCIRF
2 years, 11 months ago

India’s designation by the USCIRF

The Hindu  

The story so far: In its 2022 Annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended that India be designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, i.e., the category of governments performing most poorly on religious freedom criteria. According to the IRFA, commissioners are “selected among distinguished individuals noted for their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to …

US panel calls on Biden to sanction India over sliding religious freedom under Modi
2 years, 11 months ago

US panel calls on Biden to sanction India over sliding religious freedom under Modi

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In its 2022 report, published on Monday, the bipartisan …

India, again, ‘Country of Particular Concern’ on religious freedom grounds, says U.S. Commission
2 years, 11 months ago

India, again, ‘Country of Particular Concern’ on religious freedom grounds, says U.S. Commission

The Hindu  

Saying religious freedom conditions in India had “significantly worsened“ in 2021, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan, independent body, recommended, for the third year in a row, that India be designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, i.e., the category of governments performing most poorly on religious freedom criteria. The State Department, which has its own Office …

Religious freedom in India ‘significantly worsened’: US panel
2 years, 11 months ago

Religious freedom in India ‘significantly worsened’: US panel

Al Jazeera  

For third straight year, US commission recommends adding India to religious freedom blacklist over alleged abuses. The state of religious freedom in India “significantly worsened” last year, a United States panel has said, calling for targeted sanctions against the country over alleged abuses. In its annual report released on Monday, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the State …

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