USCIRF Report 2025: Exposed India for Religious Persecution and Erosion of Civil Liberties

Despite mounting global condemnation, the Modi government remains defiant as India’s human rights crisis deepens, putting minorities, journalists, and civil society at increasing risk.

Despite increasing global concern and growing documentation of human rights violations in India—particularly against Muslims and other religious minorities—the Modi-led Indian government continues to brush aside criticism. Rather than addressing the alarming situation, it routinely dismisses global reports as “foreign propaganda,” ignoring the urgent need for reform.

In its 2025 annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued one of the most scathing critiques yet of India’s deteriorating human rights record. The report outlined a pattern of severe persecution, including targeted violence, misuse of legal frameworks, and blatant inaction by the Indian government.

The USCIRF emphasized a disturbing surge in attacks against Muslims and Christians. The report recorded numerous incidents of mob lynching, violence against religious leaders, and the destruction of churches and mosques. These actions were often carried out by extremist vigilante groups, many of which operate with impunity. The report criticized the Indian government’s consistent failure to hold these groups accountable.

“Individuals are being beaten and killed by mobs, and places of worship are being destroyed with little or no accountability from authorities,” the report stated. It paints a grim picture of religious intolerance emboldened by state inaction.

Beyond religious persecution, the report also highlights India’s declining press freedom. Foreign and local journalists who criticize government policies—especially those exposing rights violations—have been harassed, surveilled, and even denied visas. Recently, a group of 30 international journalists raised concerns over growing intimidation, accusing Indian authorities of targeting critical voices in an attempt to silence independent reporting.

Christian organizations in India have echoed these concerns. Over 800 attacks against Christians were recorded in 2024 alone, including assaults on churches and threats to community leaders. Appeals from Christian leaders for government protection have largely gone unanswered. The U.S. State Department echoed the USCIRF’s concerns, condemning India’s failure to act and calling for urgent protection for vulnerable groups.

The report also sheds light on India’s increasingly authoritarian stance toward civil society. Laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have been systematically weaponized to jail activists, human rights defenders, and government critics under vague or politically motivated charges. The report warns that this approach has significantly eroded free expression and dissent in the country.

Civil liberties, once considered a cornerstone of India’s democratic fabric, are now under siege. The government’s crackdown on NGOs, independent media, and opposition voices has stifled dissent and created a chilling atmosphere for those who dare to speak out.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the Indian government continues to deny all allegations, branding the USCIRF report and similar assessments as “foreign interference.” Rather than committing to human rights reforms, it continues down the path of authoritarianism, deflecting global pressure and refusing to ensure the safety and freedoms of its citizens.