New Delhi: India has hit out at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, urging the American agency to cease in its “persistent selective criticism” of New Delhi and to reflect on incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples in the North American nation.
“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,” Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“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.”
India’s latest broadside against the US agency comes after the latest USCIRF report published earlier this month called for targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies such as the Research and Analysis Wing, as well as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological spine of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The USCIRF has consistently criticised India in its recent annual reports. The latest report highlighted that religious freedom in India continues to “deteriorate” and accused New Delhi of targeting religious minorities and their places of worship.
Legislation, such as the Waqf (Amendment) Act, that provides for changes in the regulation and management of Islamic bodies, and the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education Act, found mention in the report.
The 2026 Annual Report also cited communal clashes in Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, indicating that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was linked to the reported violence. The USCIRF wants the US administration to halt arms sales to India due to the continued “intimidation and harassment against US citizens and religious minorities”.
Established in 1998, following the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act by the US Congress, the USCIRF “monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad”. The agency, while independent, advises the US Congress, engages the executive branch, including the President of the US, and issues an annual report.
The USCIRF has criticised the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and various other laws, including cow slaughter legislation and state level anti conversion acts.
The latest annual report indicated that the Pahalgam terrorist attack last year and the subsequent conflict between India and Pakistan “intensified anti-Muslim sentiment in India, including targeted attacks”. It further alleged that Muslims were “reportedly killed” in various states.
It cites the arrest of an American national—James Watson—and two Indian nationals in Maharashtra last October on charges of converting Hindus to Christianity as further proof of religious intolerance.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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