India Firmly Rejects USCIRF's 2026 Report on Religious Freedom
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a strong rebuttal to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) annual report for 2026. The report, which recommended targeted sanctions on Indian entities like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for alleged violations of religious freedom, was dismissed by India as "motivated and biased."
MEA Spokesperson's Statement
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in an official statement, asserted that the commission has "persisted in presenting a distorted, selective picture of India by relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts." He emphasized that such repeated misrepresentations undermine the credibility of USCIRF itself.
Jaiswal further highlighted, "Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention."
Details of the USCIRF Report
The USCIRF report, titled "Systematic Religious Persecution in India," alleges that despite constitutional protections, India's political system fosters discrimination against religious minority communities. It specifically examines the relationship between Hindu nationalist groups like the RSS and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming this dynamic negatively impacts freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).
Key allegations in the report include:
- Conditions for religious freedom in India have "continued to deteriorate."
- The Indian government is accused of "targeting" religious minorities and houses of worship.
- Several states have strengthened anti-conversion laws with harsher prison sentences.
- Authorities facilitated detention and illegal expulsion of citizens and religious refugees.
- Vigilante attacks against religious minority communities were tolerated.
Background on USCIRF and India's Previous Responses
Established in 1998 by an act of the United States Congress, USCIRF monitors freedom of religion or belief abroad and makes recommendations to U.S. political leaders. In its 2025 Annual Report, it recommended designating India as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) for engaging in systematic religious freedom violations.
India has consistently rejected USCIRF's findings. In March this year, Jaiswal noted that India is home to 1.4 billion adherents of all religions and described the country as a "beacon of democracy and tolerance." He suggested that "it is the USCIRF that should be designated as an entity of concern."
The MEA has previously termed USCIRF "a biased organisation with a political agenda" that misrepresents facts to peddle a motivated narrative about India. This latest rejection underscores India's firm stance against what it views as unfounded criticism from international bodies.
