US Shows Concerns Over Increasing Religious Intolerance and Anti-Conversion Laws in India

The United States has voiced significant concern over the escalating enforcement of anti-conversion laws, instances of hate speech, and the demolition of homes and places of worship belonging to minority faith communities in India. These remarks were made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the release of the annual State Department report on international religious freedom.

The report highlights that senior US officials frequently addressed issues of religious freedom with their Indian counterparts throughout 2023. “In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities. At the same time, people around the world are also working hard to protect religious freedom,” Blinken stated.

The US State Department’s report detailed that Christians and Muslims have been arrested under laws banning forced religious conversions. Religious groups contend that these laws are sometimes used to harass and imprison members of religious minorities on false charges or for lawful religious practices. The report underscores that these laws and practices contribute to a climate of fear and discrimination against minority faith communities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to enact a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country was also noted in the report. The UCC would replace the current system of separate personal laws for different religious communities. However, this initiative has faced opposition from Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and tribal leaders, as well as some state government officials. They argue that the UCC is part of a broader agenda to transform India into a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation).

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) welcomed the State Department’s report, echoing the concerns of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The USCIRF has repeatedly called on the State Department to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” due to severe violations of religious freedoms for minorities.

IAMC executive director Rasheed Ahmed emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Once again, it is clear from the State Department’s own reporting that India more than qualifies as a CPC.” He urged Secretary Blinken to act on these findings and designate India as a CPC, highlighting the ongoing and severe violations of religious freedoms in the country.

The increasing concerns raised by the US reflect growing international scrutiny of India’s treatment of its religious minorities. The call for India to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure the protection of religious freedoms for all communities.

To summarize, the US State Department’s report and subsequent remarks by Secretary Blinken underscore a troubling trend of rising religious intolerance and legal actions against minority faiths in India.