Indian signatories challenge US religious freedom findings, call report ‘biased’
New Delhi, March 21, KNT: A group of former Indian civil servants and diplomats has raised concerns over a recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling its findings on India “disturbing” and “completely off-the-mark.”
In a joint communication dated March 21, the signatories questioned the credibility and methodology of the USCIRF report, arguing that it relies on “selective evidence” and lacks a broader contextual understanding of India’s long-term social and demographic trends.
The intervention comes amid continued international scrutiny of religious freedom conditions in India, with USCIRF recommendations often influencing policy discussions in Washington and beyond.
The former officials emphasised that assessments of religious freedom should be grounded in longitudinal data rather than “episodic narratives.” They cited demographic patterns across the Indian subcontinent as a more objective indicator of minority status and societal conditions.
Referring to historical data, the signatories noted that at the time of Partition in 1947, undivided Pakistan (including present-day Bangladesh) had a Hindu population of about 20.5 percent. They contrasted this with current estimates, stating that Hindus constitute approximately 1.5–2 percent of Pakistan’s population and around 7–8 percent in Bangladesh.
They described the decline of Hindu minorities in these regions as a “serious concern” acknowledged in academic and policy discourse.
In contrast, the communication highlighted what it termed a “remarkably different picture” in India, pointing to census data indicating stability or growth among minority communities. According to the figures cited, the Muslim population in India increased from 9.8 percent in 1951 to 14.2 percent in 2011, while Christian and Sikh population shares remained broadly stable over the same period.
“This reflects a broad pattern of demographic expansion or stability among major minority communities over more than six decades of independent constitutional governance,” the document stated.
The signatories argued that such data does not support claims of systemic persecution or institutionalised exclusion, which they said are implied in parts of the USCIRF report.
USCIRF Report on India (2026) – Key Findings & Recommendations
What USCIRF Recommended
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its 2026 Annual Report, recommended that the United States government:
- Designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for alleged “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom.
- Impose targeted sanctions on specific Indian entities, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
Nature of Sanctions Proposed
The report called for measures such as:
- Freezing assets of organisations like RSS
- Visa bans or travel restrictions on associated individuals
- Broader policy pressure, including reconsideration of arms cooperation
These recommendations are advisory and require action by the US administration to be implemented.
Allegations Cited by USCIRF
USCIRF claimed a deterioration in religious freedom conditions in India during 2025, citing:
- Violence and discrimination against minority communities
- Legal and policy measures affecting religious groups
- Role of state and non-state actors in alleged violations
India’s Official Response
The Government of India has categorically rejected the report, calling it:
- “Biased” and “politically motivated”
- Based on “distorted” or selective narratives
- Not reflective of India’s constitutional and democratic framework
Officials also questioned USCIRF’s credibility and its reliance on external inputs.
Key Clarification
- USCIRF does not have authority to impose bans on organizations like RSS.
- It can only recommend sanctions or restrictions to the US government.
- Any actual action depends on decisions by the US State Department and administration.
Why It Matters
USCIRF recommendations, though non-binding, can:
- Influence US foreign policy debates
- Affect diplomatic engagement with India
- Shape global narratives on religious freedom and human rights
They also criticised what they described as a recurring tendency by USCIRF to portray Indian institutions and organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in an “overwhelmingly negative” light without sufficient macro-level evidence.
In their statement, the former officials defended India’s democratic framework, citing its judiciary, parliamentary oversight, and civil institutions as mechanisms that limit systemic rights violations.
They further took issue with specific USCIRF recommendations, including calls for sanctions and restrictions on individuals or entities associated with the RSS, describing such measures as “highly motivated” and lacking substantive basis.
“All six commissioners of USCIRF are appointed by the US government and funded through Congress,” the signatories noted, urging greater scrutiny of the report’s contributors and methodology. They argued that US taxpayers should be aware of how such reports are produced and used.
While USCIRF reports are non-binding, they are closely watched as indicators of US policy thinking on global religious freedom and can influence diplomatic engagement.
The communication concluded with an appeal for a more balanced and evidence-based approach to evaluating religious freedom in India, stressing the importance of “intellectual rigor, fairness, and respect for all.”
There was no immediate response from USCIRF or US officials to the concerns raised.
The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between sections of the Indian establishment and international watchdogs over how religious freedom and minority rights are assessed, with both sides invoking data, institutional frameworks, and differing interpretations of ground realities. [KNT]
