Several Indian-American Muslim, Sikh and Christian teams have applauded the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its newest report whereby it has really useful India be designated as a ‘country of particular concern (CPC)’ for the alleged deterioration of spiritual freedom within the nation.
In separate statements, these teams urged the US State Department to just accept the suggestions of the USCIRF, a Congress-constituted quasi-judicial physique. It’s annual report on worldwide spiritual freedom and suggestions are non-binding on the US authorities.
“Designating India as one of the world’s worst violators of religious freedoms, while unfortunate, is expected and justified,” stated Rasheed Ahmed, government director of Indian-American Muslim Council.
“We hope the US Department of State will accept the USCIRF’s recommendations and designate India as a CPC this year,” he stated.
The USCIRF, in its report, has stated, “Designate India as a ‘country of particular concern,’ or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).”
India has previously stated the US physique on worldwide spiritual freedom has chosen to be guided solely by its biases on a matter on which it has no locus standi.
The Federation of Indian-American Christian Organizations applauded the designation of India as a CPC by the USCIRF.
“FIACONA whole-heartedly agrees with USCIRF in their decision to continue the designation of India as a CPC for the year 2021,” an announcement stated.
In a joint assertion, three US-based Sikh organisations thanked the USCIRF for evaluation of standing of spiritual minorities in India.
“India, which claims to be the world’s largest democracy with a tradition of secular pluralism, is fast slipping into a majoritarian autocracy”, stated Dr Pritpal Singh, coordinator, American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC).
