A U.S. federal government commission has raised concerns about the alleged deterioration of religious freedom in India, recommending that the country be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted instances of violence, misinformation, and disinformation—including hate speech from government officials—that have reportedly incited attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship, according to a section of the report authored by senior policy analyst Sema Hasan.
In its annual report, the USCIRF urged the U.S. Department of State to designate India as a CPC for what it describes as “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.” However, the State Department has yet to adopt the commission’s recommendations.
“This report details how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and places of worship demolished. These incidents represent severe violations of religious freedom,” the USCIRF stated.
The report also noted that, since the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India has consistently denied visas to USCIRF members, citing concerns over “interference” in its internal affairs.
The USCIRF has faced criticism from India and some Indian-American groups, who have accused the commission of biased and agenda-driven reporting intended to malign the country’s image. The report further outlines concerns over changes to India’s legal framework, including the Citizenship Amendment Act, a proposed uniform civil code, and various state-level anti-conversion and cow slaughter laws, which the USCIRF believes are being used to target and disenfranchise religious minorities.
