In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit, the United States has called on India to condemn ongoing religious violence. The State Department released its annual report on religious freedom, highlighting attacks against religious minorities in the country led by Modi’s Hindu nationalists. A senior US official expressed concern over the persistence of such violence and emphasized the need for accountability and condemnation.
The recently published State Department report on religious freedom has drawn attention to the alarming rise of religious violence in India, particularly targeting Muslim and Christian minorities. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit, a senior US official has expressed deep concern over the situation and urged the Indian government to denounce these acts of violence.
The report highlights various instances of religious discrimination, including home demolitions of Muslims and public flogging of Muslims accused of harming Hindus in Gujarat. These accounts were based on direct research as well as information provided by media outlets and advocacy groups. The report also sheds light on the persistent issue of forced and coerced conversions in neighboring Pakistan.
While the US has faced criticism from India for raising concerns about religious freedom in the past, the American government remains committed to advocating for human rights and religious liberties worldwide. The senior US official emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who engage in dehumanizing rhetoric against religious minorities.
The US government has pledged to engage in direct discussions with Indian officials to address these concerns. Collaboration with civil society organizations and journalists working to document religious abuses will also be prioritized. However, it is anticipated that India will be spared from being designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” in the upcoming report, given the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
