USCIRF Report Ignores India’s Pluralism, Pushes False Narrative on Religious Freedom

TNN News : We have carefully examined the recently released 2025 Annual Report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Unfortunately, the report continues the same pattern of biased, politically motivated, and factually incorrect assessments that misrepresent the ground realities of India. The USCIRF has repeatedly attempted to paint a distorted image of India’s religious landscape by cherry-picking incidents, exaggerating narratives, and overlooking the country’s rich legacy of pluralism and coexistence. It is disappointing that an independent U.S. government body is being used to push an agenda that undermines India’s democratic institutions and societal harmony.

Chairman of CNMS Profssor Jasim Mohammad said, India is the world’s largest democracy, home to 1.4 billion people belonging to diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, including the freedom of religion, are actively protected by both the government and the judiciary. However, the USCIRF has chosen to ignore the legal safeguards, democratic institutions, and vibrant civil society that ensure the protection of religious minorities. Instead, it presents an incomplete, exaggerated, and politically charged narrative that aligns with certain ideological biases rather than objective analysis. It is deeply troubling that the USCIRF report disregards the reality of religious harmony and social inclusiveness in India while focusing on isolated incidents. The vast majority of India’s population, regardless of their religious beliefs, live together in peace. The Indian government has consistently taken legal action against any individual or group that incites violence or threatens social stability, regardless of their religious or political affiliation. The report’s failure to acknowledge these efforts and instead promote a false image of “widespread persecution” is not only misleading but also dangerous.

The allegations of discriminatory laws such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and anti-conversion laws are grossly misrepresented in the USCIRF report. The CAA is a humanitarian law aimed at providing citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries; it does not strip any Indian citizen, regardless of religion, of their rights. Similarly, anti-conversion laws exist to prevent forced religious conversions and do not target any specific community. The fact that these laws are implemented through due legal process and are subject to judicial review is conveniently ignored in the report.

Furthermore, the claim that the Indian government is repressing religious minorities abroad, specifically Sikh communities, is completely baseless. India has a long history of supporting Sikh rights globally, as evident from the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor and the continued support for Sikh religious institutions. The allegations of transnational repression, including assassination attempts, are not only unfounded but also part of an effort to malign India’s global image. Such accusations lack credible evidence and serve only to further an anti-India propaganda narrative.

The Centre for Narendra Modi Studies strongly rejects the misleading claims made in the USCIRF report and urges the international community to recognize India’s commitment to religious harmony, constitutional democracy, and inclusive governance. India remains a beacon of diversity and democratic values, and no amount of external propaganda will change this reality. The Indian government will continue to safeguard the rights of all its citizens and will not be deterred by politically motivated reports that seek to undermine the nation’s sovereignty and global standing.

Prof. Jasim Mohammad informed that the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS) will soon prepare a Fact-Finding Document on the biased reporting of the USCIRF on India over the last ten years.