USCIRF
Pannun case: US serves summons to NSA Ajit Doval, former RAW chief Samant Goel
The US State Department has served summons to NSA Ajit Doval and former RAW chief Samant Goel through diplomatic channels in a civil lawsuit filed by Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The case relates to an alleged assassination plot against Pannun. India has termed the lawsuit "frivolous, fabricated and malicious" and questioned the route used to serve the judicial documents.
India rejects USCIRF remarks on gurdwara attacks, calls it 'blatantly political'
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also wondered why the USCIRF chose to remain silent on attacks on religious places in the US and on racial abuse targeting the Indian community in that country.
USCIRF seeks revocation of RSS chief Bhagwat's visa ahead of New York event
A US advisory body urged the Trump administration to revoke RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's visa. The organization cited alleged violent attacks by RSS subgroups against minorities. India rejected these claims, calling the body biased and lacking credibility. The X handle of the New York event host became unavailable shortly after. The host organization believes the suspension may have occurred in error.
‘Biased, no credibility’: MEA hits back at US body over call for RSS sanctions
India's External Affairs Ministry criticized the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The ministry called the US body biased and lacking credibility for its statements. This criticism followed the commission's call for sanctions against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members. The commission alleged that affiliated groups attacked religious minorities in India. The US body urged sanctions instead of high-level meetings for RSS leaders.
India rejects USCIRF call for RSS sanctions, calls organization biased
India has rejected remarks by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson called the organization biased and lacking credibility. USCIRF officials had called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. They also recommended that US officials avoid diplomatic courtesies for RSS leaders. India stated that such organizations have their own agendas and should be avoided.
US religious freedom body seeks sanctions against RSS, no high-level meetings with its leaders
A US advisory body urged sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Officials asked the US government to avoid high-level meetings with RSS leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the RSS organization. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat plans to visit the United States soon. India rejected the US commission's report as selective and distorted.
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275 former judges, officials slam US international religious freedom report
A coalition of 275 eminent Indian personalities, featuring ex-judges and military officers, has emphatically condemned a recent finding by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. They criticized the recommendation to ban the RSS as inherently biased and lacking scholarly integrity.
'Freeze RSS assets, stop arms sales to India': US religious freedom panel recommends sanctions over minority violations
USCIRF: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan federal government body, has released its 2026 Annual Report, alleging a significant deterioration of religious freedom in India throughout 2025. The commission has formally recommended that the U.S. State Department designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) and impose targeted sanctions on entities like the RSS, while also invoking Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to halt weapon sales.
USCIRF reports biased: MEA in Rajya Sabha
Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an organisation with a political agenda and the government attaches no credibility to its reports, which misrepresent facts and peddle a motivated narrative about India.
MEA trashes an US report which alleged 'increasing abuses' against religious minorities in India
India's Ministry of External Affairs rejects a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which recommends labeling India as a 'Country of Particular Concern' over alleged religious freedom violations. The report cites cases of violence against minorities and criticizes legal measures like the Citizenship Amendment Act as contributing factors to discrimination.
Hindus not represented in USCIRF, says Indian diaspora body
The head of a top Indian diaspora think-tank criticizes the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for lacking diversity and producing biased reports on India and Hindus. USCIRF announced new members Maureen Ferguson, Vicky Hartzler, Asif Mahmood, and re-appointments of Stephen Schneck, Eric Ueland. Khanderao Kand criticizes the missed historic opportunity for diversity and balance in the commission.
USCIRF report based on omission & commission of facts: Indian diaspora body
A think-tank representing the Indian diaspora has criticized the USCIRF's report, calling it biased and based on incomplete facts. The report recommends designating India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for alleged violations of religious freedom, a move India has strongly opposed. The think-tank argues that the report fails to acknowledge India's efforts to protect religious freedom and wrongly singles out incidents without considering the country's complex context. It urges the US State Department to reject the report.
India blasts USCIRF, describes it as biased entity with political agenda
India criticizes USCIRF for biased propaganda in its annual report. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemns USCIRF's interference in India's affairs and its criticism on various issues.
US religious freedom watchdog 'implores' Biden administration to designate India
The US religious watchdog urges India's designation as a religious freedom concern due to alleged targeting of minorities overseas. Recent Indian government actions suppressing activists abroad raise concerns. USCIRF cites alleged Indian involvement in Sikh activists' incidents overseas. India denies discrimination claims. This intensifies a sensitive issue between India and the US amid efforts to counter a rising China.
India trashes USCIRF report, calls it misrepresentation of facts
In its India section of the latest report, the USCIRF alleged that in 2022, religious freedom conditions in India continued to worsen. The US Commission also urged the Biden administration to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for "severe violations" of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets.
US commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom
In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a "country of particular concern" on the status of religious freedom along with several other nations.
'Biased and inaccurate': India slams USCIRF's latest observations
Asked about the report at a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We consider these biased and inaccurate observations about India by USCIRF. They (USCIRF) have a tendency to consistently misrepresent facts and this shows their lack of understanding of India, our constitutional framework, plurality and our robust democratic system."
India slams USCIRF for 'misrepresenting' facts
The strong reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came a day after the USCIRF alleged "repression" of critical voices, especially religious minorities and those reporting on and advocating for them in India.
USCIRF recommends to designate India, 14 others as 'Country of Particular Concern'
India has in the past said that the American body on international religious freedom has chosen to be guided only by its biases on a matter on which it has no locus standi.
India describes USCIRF as ‘Organisation of Particular Concern'
USCIRF is under scanner by the USA establishment and its credibility is under question mark, highly placed sources told ET. Interestingly CPC list includes both Russia and China, two Permanent members of UN Security Council.
USCIRF members express concern over CAA; say it could result in 'disenfranchisement' of Muslims
Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) along with an invited panel of experts convened a hearing mainly focused on India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Rohingya Muslims issue in Myanmar to help develop policy recommendations for the US government in response to the issues.
India reacts sharply to US report on religious freedom
Swarup said government does not see locus standi of a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of Indian citizens' constitutionally protected rights.
US panel wants Pakistan on list for religious freedom violations
As such USCIRF again recommended the State Department to designated Pakistan a "country of particular concern", or CPC, under IRFA.
Intolerance in India rose in 2015, says USCIRF
The USCIRF suggested that the Indian government publicly rebuke officials and religious leaders that make derogatory statements about religious communities.
USCIRF member allowed entry at Dharamsala to attend conference
A senior USCIRF representative was allowed to attend the conference, Even as the Modi government has cancelled the visa of senior Uyghur leader Dolkun Isa.
Government defends denying visa to US body tracking religious freedom
Incidentally, this is not the first time that the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has been denied a field visit to India.
‘US body can’t judge India freedom’
The USCIRF said its 3-member delegation that wanted to visit India to discuss and assess religious freedom conditions was denied visas.
Pakistan should be designated among 'countries of particular concern': USCIRF
Pakistan should be designated among 'countries of particular concern' (CPC) for its "egregious violations" of religious freedom, an independent US commission has said.
US body lauds President Barack Obama for his religious freedom remarks in India
USCIRF said religious freedom is a challenge that India must and can address, given its diversity and long history of democratic values.
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