Washington: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the US State Department to classify India as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing significant backsliding in religious freedoms. This bipartisan congressional advisory body highlighted increased attacks on Muslims and Christians, along with the use of hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric by political leaders, particularly during the recent election period.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the 2024 Annual Report by USCIRF noted a troubling increase in incidents of religious violence. It documented 161 violent acts against Christians in the first quarter of the year alone, with a notable number of attacks in Chhattisgarh. The situation for Muslims deteriorated around the general elections, with at least 28 attacks linked to the rhetoric of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election campaign.

The report emphasized the role of government officials in exacerbating religious tensions through misinformation and hate speech, which have incited actions such as cow vigilantism. Moreover, the commission pointed out the practice of “bulldozer justice,” where properties, including a historic mosque in Delhi, were demolished under dubious legal pretexts, intensifying communal discord.

USCIRF also criticized the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill for undermining the autonomy of Muslim communities over their religious properties and highlighted the continued enforcement of laws that discriminate against religious minorities, such as anti-conversion and cow slaughter laws.

The findings underscore a broader clampdown on civil freedoms in India, noting the detention of individuals, including religious leaders and journalists, who speak out about these issues, often without proper legal processes. The USCIRF’s recommendations reflect deep concerns about the trajectory of religious freedom in India, urging immediate action to address these escalating challenges.