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India Slams USCIRF Report, Cites Hindu Temple Attacks in US

India has categorically rejected the latest annual report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it a motivated and biased characterization. The Ministry of External Affairs accused the commission of presenting a distorted picture of India for years by relying on ideological narratives rather than facts. In a sharp retort, India advised USCIRF to instead reflect on incidents of vandalism against Hindu temples in the United States and the intimidation of the Indian diaspora. New Delhi maintains that such reports are politically motivated and fail to acknowledge India's pluralistic society.

Key Points: India Rejects USCIRF Report on Religious Freedom

  • India rejects USCIRF report as biased
  • Accuses USCIRF of relying on questionable sources
  • Urges focus on attacks on Hindu temples in US
  • Highlights intimidation of Indian diaspora in America
3 min read

India slams USCIRF, asks it to instead reflect on attacks on Hindu temples in US

India dismisses USCIRF's annual report as biased, urges focus on attacks on Hindu temples in the US and intimidation of Indian diaspora.

"Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States... - MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, March 16

Trashing the annual United States Commission on International Religious Freedom report, India on Monday said that the US religious freedom watchdog has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India for several years by relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts.

"We have taken note of the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterization of India," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding the 2026 Annual Report of USCIRF.

"For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself," he added.

India has maintained that the USCIRF's persistent attempts to cast aspersions on India's vibrant multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than a genuine concern for religious freedom.

"Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention," the MEA spokesperson stated on Monday.

It is not for the first time that India has slammed USCIRF, the US federal government agency which monitors the universal right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) abroad and makes policy recommendations to the country's President, Secretary of State and the US Congress.

India has earlier accused the US body for continuing its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments.

"India is home to 1.4 billion people who are adherents to all religions known to mankind. However, we have no expectation that the USCIRF will engage with the reality of India's pluralistic framework or acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities. Such efforts to undermine India's standing as a beacon of democracy and tolerance will not succeed. In fact, it is the USCIRF that should be designated as an entity of concern," the MEA had stated while junking the 2025 Annual Report of USCIRF.

New Delhi's views on the US agency are well known.

"It is a biased organisation with a political agenda. It continues to misrepresent facts and peddles a motivated narrative about India. We reject this malicious report, which only serves to discredit USCIRF further," the MEA has stated earlier.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone living in the US, I've seen this hypocrisy firsthand. There's genuine concern in the diaspora about temple vandalism here, but it rarely gets the same attention. India is right to call out the double standards.
P
Priya S
Well said! India is the land of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). We have all religions living together for centuries. These foreign reports based on biased sources don't understand our ground reality at all.
R
Rohit P
While I agree with standing up to biased criticism, I hope our government is also equally proactive in addressing genuine concerns of all minorities within India. A strong response abroad must be matched by consistent action at home.
V
Vikram M
The point about the diaspora is crucial. Many of us have family in the US who feel targeted. Why is USCIRF silent on that? This isn't about religion, it's about a political narrative against a rising India.
K
Karthik V
Good diplomatic move. You have to answer baseless allegations firmly. But beyond statements, we need to build stronger cultural bridges with the world to tell our own story. Our secular fabric is our strength.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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