India has criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) over its recent remarks alleging attacks on Sikh gurdwaras in the country, describing the organisation as biased and politically motivated.
Responding to questions about comments made by two USCIRF commissioners, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal questioned the credibility of the US body and accused it of pursuing a political agenda.
Jaiswal also questioned the commission’s silence on incidents involving attacks on religious institutions in the United States, as well as alleged hate crimes and racial discrimination against members of the Indian community there.
He maintained that an organisation demonstrating such selective criticism could not be considered a credible source.
The controversy follows statements by USCIRF commissioners David Anderson and Joe Grogan, who recently expressed concern over alleged vigilante attacks targeting Sikh places of worship in India.
Anderson claimed that several gurdwaras had faced attacks in recent weeks, including incidents involving alleged attempts to harm religious leaders. He urged Washington to consider India’s response to religious violence when making decisions regarding security assistance.
Grogan also raised concerns about reported attacks on religious institutions, including churches, gurdwaras and mosques.
India slams USCIRF over gurdwara attack claims.
He argued that such incidents threaten the freedom of religion or belief protected under international law.
He further called on the US administration to encourage India to ensure accountability for those responsible and strengthen the protection of religious places.
The latest exchange comes amid continuing differences between New Delhi and the USCIRF over the organisation’s assessments of religious freedom in India.
In August, the commission had recommended sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and urged the US government to withhold diplomatic courtesies from its leadership. India also rejected those recommendations.
The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government commission in the United States. It monitors religious freedom conditions across the world and submits policy recommendations to the US President, Secretary of State and Congress.
India’s latest response underscores the continuing diplomatic disagreement between the two sides over assessments of religious freedom and the treatment of religious minorities.