IMF Criticizes US Secretary Of State: “USCIRF’s Understanding Of India’s Religious Freedom Is Weak

The Indian Minority Foundation (IMF) has responded to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s remarks on the International Religious Freedom Report, criticizing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for inaccurately grouping India with authoritarian regimes such as Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and China. IMF argues that this misrepresentation undermines USCIRF’s credibility and its understanding of India’s religious freedom landscape.

In its statement, IMF emphasized that the USCIRF’s recent report, which seeks to designate India as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC), is flawed. The statement noted, “While many have questioned USCIRF’s credibility and objectives, the most pertinent question is whether it acts as an agent of conflict rather than an instrument of coordination.” According to IMF, USCIRF’s attempt to compare India, the world’s largest democracy, with authoritarian countries is misleading. It fails to acknowledge India’s robust constitutional framework, vibrant civil society, and rich history of pluralism.

IMF pointed out that India’s federal system grants states autonomy on matters such as law, allowing them the constitutional freedom to create and implement their own laws. Comparing India to non-democratic nations is incorrect and shows a lack of understanding of the country’s religious freedom situation. IMF expressed concern that USCIRF’s misrepresentation could undermine global human rights efforts and destabilize India’s territorial integrity. The statement concluded that USCIRF’s comments on religious freedom reflect significant flaws in its mission and understanding.

Additionally, the IMF statement referenced recent news about penalties under the Telecommunication Act, highlighting that fines of up to Rs 50 lakh will be imposed for obtaining SIM cards fraudulently.