As India grapples with internal strife and external criticism, the debate surrounding its commitment to secularism intensifies

India, a nation characterised by its rich tapestry of religious diversity, has long championed the values of secularism and pluralism. However, the landscape of religious freedom in the country has come under scrutiny, particularly with the recent designation by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) of India as a “Country of Particular Concern.” This designation has ignited a contentious debate, leading to a sharp rebuke from the Indian government, which labeled the USCIRF a “biased organisation with a political agenda.” In its 2024 report, the USCIRF highlighted alarming trends regarding religious freedom in India. The commission reported instances of violence against individuals based on their religious identity, citing cases of killings, beatings and lynchings carried out by vigilante groups. It also noted the arbitrary arrests of religious leaders and the demolition of homes and places of worship, characterising these actions as severe violations of religious freedom. The report further pointed to changes in India’s legal framework that, according to the USCIRF, target and disenfranchise religious minorities. These changes include the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the implementation of a uniform civil code. Such measures, the USCIRF argues, contribute to a climate of fear and marginalisation for non-Hindu communities. In response to the USCIRF’s assertions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs firmly rejected the report. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the commission’s narrative as a “motivated” misrepresentation of facts aimed at maligning India’s image on the global stage. The ministry’s statement emphasised that the USCIRF’s reporting is unscientific and driven by an agenda that fails to reflect the realities of India’s democracy.

It is true that no external agency or country has right to give us lessons in religious freedom and tolerance as we have practiced it since ancient times. Moreover, they have skeletons in their own cupboard which they would better take care first. The trigger happy policemen in the US don’t think twice before shooting a black guy for not pulling over his car. But having said that it is time for us to reflect and introspect. To be fair, religious freedom has eroded in the recent years. There have been lynching incidents and that is not a made up thing. We may say that they are isolated incidents but they are enough to send a message to the community. Moreover, the attacks on churches and other religious places have been reported from across the country all this while the police looked the other way or just took mild action. It is time to ensure one and all that India is safe as it has been for ages for people of all religions and castes. And India as a State does not discriminate people for the religion they practice or food they eat. The concerns raised by the USCIRF may be exaggerated and they may make isolated incidents look mainstream but the government must maintain zero tolerance for such incidents so that no outside agency dare raise a pointing figure at us.