USCIRF Report: The annual report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urging the United States administration to associate security assistance and bilateral trade of Washington to enhancements in the handling of religious freedom by New Delhi has been outrightly rejected by India.
The USCIRF Report Inclusions
The USCIRF Report had criticized India for a series of alleged violations of religious freedom. The report also supported “targeted sanctions” on entities and individuals such as the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), holding them responsible for religious freedom violations.
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For many years, the annual USCIRF reports have been routinely rejected by the Indian government.
Indian External Affairs Ministry Statement
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Indian External Affairs Ministry, dismissed the report. Jaiswal commented that USCIRF has always presented a selective and distorted picture of India by relying on ideological narratives and questionable sources.
Jaiswal went on to add that the latest report by USCIRF is hereby categorically rejected by the Indian government for its biased and motivated characterization of New Delhi. Jaiswal went on to comment that the USCIRF should instead focus on reflect on disturbing attacks and incidents of vandalism on Hindu temples in the United States. Jaiswal also urged the USCIRF to focus on growing intimidation and intolerance of members of the diaspora from India in the United States that deserve serious attention.
About R&AW
R&AW was established with Rameshwar Nath Kao as its first chief. Founded on 21 September 1968, it has emphasized on building a professional cadre by facilitating the recruitment of personnel from organizations, including but not limited to the military, IB and civil services.
The agency played an important role during India’s war with Pakistan in 1971 that caused the birth of Bangladesh from West Pakistan. According to media reports, R&AW offered training and intelligence to the Mukti Bahini, East Pakistani guerrilla force, against the military and coordinated resistance operations of Pakistan inside East Pakistan.
