Centre Thrashes the US State Department’s Report Criticizing Religious Freedom in India

The reports were tagged as "biased" by Arindam Bagchi, the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson. 

India thrashed the US State Department for a report that criticized religious freedom in India and also alleged India’s attack on minority communities. The Centre reacted by calling the report "biased" and "motivated" whereas Arindam Bagchi, the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, pointed out that such reports are based on "misinformation and flawed understanding".

The report expressed concerns over the alleged attack by India on its religious minorities.

Bagchi’s statement

While speaking to the media regarding the report, Bagchi fired at the State Department by saying, "We are aware of the release of the US State Department 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom. Regrettably, such reports continue to be based on misinformation and flawed understanding."

He also added, "Motivated and biased commentary by some US officials only serves to undermine further the credibility of these reports. We value our partnership with the US and will continue to have frank exchanges on issues of concern to us."

The report

On Monday, the report documenting religious freedom in countries across the world was published, according to which several countries, including Russia, China, India, and Saudi Arabia, freely attack members of minority communities.

Soon after the report was published by the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Rashad Hussain, the Ambassador at Large, Office of International Religious Freedom, while speaking to reporters in Washington, said, "Far too many governments continue to freely target faith community members within their borders."

The report also read, "In June, several parts of the country reported violent protests and acts of arson after spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal from the country's ruling BJP made televised remarks about the Prophet Muhammad which were widely seen as offensive by Muslims," as quoted by WION in its article.

In addition, the report highlighted instances of police complicity during the 2020 Delhi riots against protestors, a majority of whom were Muslims.

However, Blinken defended the report by highlighting that it is a fact-based report that offers an overview of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries.