WASHINGTON: A top U.S. federal commission has recommended that India be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom, calling for sanctions and stricter oversight of U.S.-India relations.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2024 report, alleging that India’s government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has fueled religious discrimination, hate speech, and violence against minorities.
The report specifically accuses Indian authorities of misusing anti-terror laws, enforcing anti-conversion policies, and targeting civil society organizations that document religious persecution.
Key Recommendations to the U.S. Government:
• Sanctions on Officials: Targeting individuals like Vikash Yadav and intelligence officials from RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) for alleged involvement in religious persecution and transnational repression.
• Restricting U.S. Aid & Arms Sales: Reviewing military deals, including MQ-9B drone sales, to prevent their misuse in suppressing religious groups.
• Diplomatic Pressure: Urging U.S. embassies to highlight religious freedom concerns in India and support human rights defenders.
• Monitoring Transnational Repression: Strengthening oversight of India’s alleged attempts to silence dissidents abroad, including the 2023 assassination attempt on a Sikh activist in the U.S.
The USCIRF report warns that India’s crackdown on religious minorities is worsening, with anti-Muslim rhetoric, church demolitions, and vigilante violence increasing ahead of the country’s elections.
The findings put pressure on the Biden administration, which has so far maintained strong ties with New Delhi despite growing concerns over human rights violations.
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