India: Religious freedom report biased
In The News:
- India rejected the criticisms in a US State Department report about religious freedom. It said it was unfortunate that "vote banking politics" is being used in international relations.
What's today's article?
- International Religious Freedom Report (Purpose and Origin)
- Latest Report (India section, India's Response)
International Freedom Report:
- In accordance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1988, the Department of State submits an annually updated Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom.
- This report, also known as the International Religious Freedom Report , describes the state of religious freedom and government policies that violate religious belief. It also includes the practices of individuals .
- It also highlights U.S. policies that promote religious freedom in almost every country and territory around the globe.
- It also recommends, develops, and implements policies and programmes to address these concerns.
- also helps NGOs worldwide to promote religious freedom.
Origin:
- Bill Clinton, then-President of the United States, signed the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act ( IRFA, 1998).
- Both the Senate and House of Representatives approved it unanimously.
- The Act resulted in the creation of the Office of International Religious Freedom, headed by an Ambassador-at Large within the State Department of U.S. government.
The Latest Report:
- The 2021 International Religious Freedom Report was released by the Department of State recently.
- This report provides a comprehensive, fact-based assessment of the situation of religious freedom in almost 200 countries and territories all over the globe.
- The report uses media and government accounts to document attacks on religious minorities.
W.r.t. India:
- According to the report's "India section", the Union government failed to release data about communal violence in 2021.
- FCRA Act :
- The report also addressed criticisms that were reportedly made by Indian NGOs against the 2020 amendments to the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act.
- According to the US State Department report NGOs in India continue criticizing the FCRA 2020 amendments as "constricting civil society".
- The 2020 amendment reduced foreign funding that NGOs (including faith-based organizations) could use for administrative purposes.
- According to the report, FCRA licenses for 5,789 NGOs (including many faith-based organizations) were revoked by the government after it stated that they had not applied for renewal.
- Cow Vigilantism :
- The report also mentioned "25 states" that apply partial to complete restrictions on bovine slaughter. It made particular note of Madhya Pradesh’s laws regarding cow vigilantism.
- This report focuses on cow vigilantism against non Hindus, based upon allegations of cow slaughter and beef trade.
- Law on Religious Conversion :
- According to the report, 10 states of India (Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as well as Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha), have laws that restrict religious conversion.
- Attacks on minorities :
- According to the report, attacks on minority members, including murders, assaults and intimidation took place in India from 2021.
- It also mentioned that terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir targeted Hindu and Sikh minorities last year.
- Arrests by the Police
- Non-Hindus were arrested by police for posting comments on the media or social media that were offensive to Hinduism or Hinduism.
India's Response:
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it is regrettable that vote bank politics are being used in international relations. We urge against biased and motivated assessments.
- According to the Ministry, India is a naturally pluralistic country and values human rights as well as religious freedom.
Thank You