Indian Embassy justifies decision.
By Dileep Thekkethil
A week after 34 top American lawmakers asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter to take action against those who unleash attacks on minorities in India, the BJP-led government has denied visas to a delegation of U.S. federal government agency that monitors religious freedom.
According to the US government agency, the Indian government has denied visas to the members of its commission for a visit that was planned months ago.
The team of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was supposed to start for Delhi on Friday.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent body that aims at protecting and defending freedom of religion and beliefs across the world.
The team was set to meet top leaders of the Modi government to discuss and assess conditions of religious freedom in the country.
According to the delegation, the visit was a long-planned one that was coordinated with the support of the US State Department and the US Embassy in New Delhi.
“As a pluralistic, non-sectarian, and democratic state, and a close partner of the United States, India should have the confidence to allow our visit,” USCIRF chairman Robert George said in a statement.
The Indian Embassy in Washington retaliated by stating, “There is no change in the policy of the Government of India with respect to such visits. India is a vibrant pluralistic society founded on strong democratic principles. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens including the right to freedom of religion. We do not see the locus standing of a foreign entity like USCIRF to pass its judgment and comment on the state of Indian citizens’ constitutionally protected rights.”
The embassy also said, “We look forward to continuing working with the United States Government for sharing of experience and best practice on all issues of mutual interest under the established bilateral mechanisms like the India-United States Global Issues Forum.”
According to the report published by USCIRF in 2015, the number of cases involving religious violence has increased in India for the third consecutive year. The report also indicts India of despite maintaining a pluralistic, secular democratic status, failing to protect the minority religious communities or providing justice to them on incidents of crimes.
George also said that USCIRF was allowed in many countries that take religious freedom lightly, this includes countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, and Burma, which he says are the “worst offenders of religious freedom”.
He said: “One would expect the Indian government would allow for more transparency than have these nations, and would welcome the opportunity to convey its views directly to USCIRF.”
The spike in the number of violence related to religious intolerance as attributed by religious leaders and NGO’s to the religiously motivated campaigns that preceded the 2014 general elections, which made Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India.
The report published by USCIRF had said that after the general election, the religious minorities in India has been facing insulting comments by politicians linked to the ruling BJP and other fringe organizations linked to the Hindu nationalist party.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission with commissioners appointed by the President and the leaders in both Houses of Congress.
According to the report, the states of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarhi, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan tend to have the greatest number of religiously-motivated attacks and communal violence incidents.
The report identifies RSS and VHP among the groups that are accused of intolerance, discrimination, and violence against minority religions.
In his speech at a town hall event in New Delhi, president Barack Obama had underscored the importance of religious freedom to India’s success, urging the country to not be “splintered along the lines of religious faith,”
Obama had back then said, “Michelle and I returned from India – an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity – but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other people of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs – acts of intolerance that would have shocked [Mahatma] Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation.”
1 Comment
Few facts:
1) USCIRF commissioners do not promote religious freedom in USA. On the contrary, their activities create a hostile environment in USA. Examples:-
a) Current USCIRF chairman is actively promoting Indiana’s anti-gay law.
b) In 2005, USCIRF Commissioner Richard Land, of Southern Bapstist Convention, authored “Imagine! A God Blessed America: What It Would Look Like and How It Could Happen”. In the book, He wrote that Hindu culture/tradition is “Superstitious” and “Cruel”.
2)Event: Terrorist Attack at Bodhgaya India
USCIRF portrayal: “NIA arrested Hindu priest.Protest ensued &..Priest released.”
Fact: India Mujahideens arrested.Anti-attack vigil ensued.
3)Event: AntiTerror Op. BatlaHouse, Delhi
USCIRF portrayal: “2 unarmed youth shot by police.”
Fact: Court awarded life term to arrested Indian Mujahideen terrorist found
guilty of bombing new delhi and killing 17 civilians.
4) Event:99acre land to build Safe Shelter for Hindu Pilgrims in amarnath, kashmir.
USCIRF portrayal: Lends voice to claims of terror outfits. Shows no concern for Pilgrim security.
Fact:Amarnath piligrim massacre & terror attack on temp shelters is a recurring event.
5)Event: Attack on Hindu Monastery,Orissa,India: Massacre of 5 ppl incl 82yrold Monk, Woman & Children
USCIRF portrayal: USCIRF Villifies 82yrold Monk. Defend accused & doubt court judgement without providing any facts.
Fact: Court found 7 Christians,lnked with maoist terror group, guilty of
Jalespesta Hindu Massacre.