A senior US State Department Official said the US would continue encouraging India to condemn religious violence after a report released by the US raised concerns about religious violations in the country. The report came almost a month ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US on 22 June.
The official said that the country would continue to work closely with civil society and courageous journalists working daily to document the abuses in India.
Today I joined @IRF_Ambassador Hussain to launch the International Religious Freedom Report: a key part of our efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief, a core American value and a fundamental freedom enshrined in international law. pic.twitter.com/xEJPLQJfGu
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 15, 2023
US to Address Religious Freedom Issues in India
During a press briefing following the release of the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom on Monday, the anonymous official responded to a question on whether the US had plans to pressure India concerning minorities.
The official said that the US would continue to speak directly with its counterparts in India to address these issues.
Additionally, the official said there had been significant attention from the international community, including from human rights organisations, regarding the situation in India.
“The US Holocaust Museum continues to draw considerable attention to the human rights situation in India and lists it as one of its top countries of concern and with – with regard to the potential for mass killings there,” the official said.
The official said that the US was encouraging India to hold accountable all groups engaging in dehumanising rhetoric toward religious minorities and condemn violence committed against these communities.
“We’ll continue to speak directly with our colleagues and counterparts in India regarding these concerns.”
1 month before it will host PM Modi to US for a State Visit, US State Department releases a scathing report on religious freedom, refers to ruling party for more than 20 incidents of violence, intimidation of minorities in India... Awaiting MEA reactionhttps://t.co/xLRj03evz6
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) May 15, 2023
Findings of the Religious Freedom Report
The US State Department report highlighted the continued targeted attacks against religious communities, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu Dalits, and indigenous communities.
“Attacks on members of religious minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, occurred in various states throughout the year,” the report stated.
The report references Indian police flogging four Muslim men in Gujarat, attacks on houses of worship and home demolitions, and instances of compassion for those who have attacked religious minorities.
On the Karnataka Hijab Ban, the report also said that India was witnessing some restrictions on religious attire at the state level.
India had earlier rejected a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as “biased” and “motivated.” The USCIRF report alleged severe violations of religious freedom in the country.