India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly rejected the 2023 report on international religious freedom released by the US State Department, labeling it as “deeply biased” and lacking an understanding of India’s social dynamics.
The US report raised concerns over what it termed a “concerning increase” in hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and the demolition of homes and places of worship belonging to minority groups in India. In response, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized the report, saying, “We have noted the release by the US State Department… As in the past, the report is deeply biased, lacks an understanding of India’s social fabric, and is visibly driven by votebank considerations and a prescriptive outlook. We therefore reject it.”
“Selective use of facts,” says MEA
Jaiswal further lambasted the report for its “mix of imputations, misrepresentations, selective usage of facts, reliance on biased sources, and a one-sided projection of issues.” He argued that the report misrepresents India’s constitutional provisions and laws, selectively highlights incidents to fit a predetermined narrative, and questions the legitimacy of India’s legal and legislative processes.
MEA calls out American double standards
The MEA spokesperson also pointed out discrepancies in how the report addresses regulations concerning financial flows into India, suggesting that the US itself has stricter laws and regulations but does not prescribe similar solutions for its own compliance burdens.
While emphasizing that human rights and respect for diversity are valid topics for discussion between India and the United States, Jaiswal underscored India’s efforts to address hate crimes and protect minorities, both domestically and in the US. However, he cautioned against such dialogues being used as grounds for foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
“In 2023, India had formally raised numerous cases in the US related to hate crimes, attacks on Indian nationals and minorities, vandalism of places of worship, and mistreatment by law enforcement,” Jaiswal stated.
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