India dismisses US State Department’s 2023 report on international religious freedom

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sharply criticized the US State Department’s 2023 report on international religious freedom, calling it “deeply biased” and lacking a true knowledge of India’s societal dynamics.

According to the research, there has been a “concerning increase” in hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and the demolition of homes and places of worship for minority communities in India.

In response to the report, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noted the release of the US State Department’s report on international religious freedom for 2023.” As in the past, the report is extremely biased, lacks an understanding of India’s social fabric, and is clearly motivated by vote bank considerations and a prescriptive worldview. We therefore reject it.”

Also read: Concerning rise in anti-conversion laws, hate speech in India: Blinken

‘Report lacks an understanding of India’s social fabric’: MEA

The MEA criticized the study for being a “mix of imputations, misrepresentations, selective usage of facts, reliance on biased sources, and a one-sided projection of issues.”

It went on to say that the study misrepresents India’s constitutional provisions and laws, selectively emphasizes occurrences to promote a preconceived narrative, and calls into doubt India’s legal and legislative processes.

Concerning rise in anti-conversion laws in India: US report

On Wednesday , US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released the State Department’s 2023 religious freedom report for over 200 countries, noting a “concerning increase” in hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and demolition of homes and places of worship for people belonging to minority groups in India.

In his remarks during the report’s release, Blinken stated that religious freedom is still not recognized by millions of people worldwide. He also stated that people were making significant attempts to defend religious freedom.