Indian Minorities Advocacy Network (ImanNet) has welcomed the recommendation by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to 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.)
“While it is a bright day for the campaign for human rights, pluralism and rule of law, it is also a dark day for India which at one time garnered respect from the world because of the ideology of Gandhi, Nehru and Azad. The Hindutva supremacist ideology of RSS which is currently ruling India through its political front the BJP has destroyed the pluralist ethos and the rule of law as well as hurt the growing economy of India,†said Dr. Shaik Ubaid, the president of ImanNet
“We would like to remind the world that while the USCIRF 2020 report was being readied for distribution, several hundred youth activities were being rounded up in India for standing up against the discriminatory laws which would have eventually disenfranchised tens of millions of Indian Muslims. These raids were being conducted while the country was under a lockdown because of the coronavirus and the world attention was diverted due to the COVID-19 pandemic,†said Dr. Ubaid
We urged the state department and the US government to fully implement the recommendations of the commission. It is easier to prevent a genocide than to stop it once it starts, as evident in the case of Burma/Myanmar. Hundreds of millions of religious minorities including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs as well as Dalits face a great threat to their life and properties,†claimed Dr. Ubaid. He also congratulated the various human rights adviocacy groups who worked hard to keep the USCIRF unformed of the egregious violations of human rights in India.
The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) Thanks the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF):
April 28, 2020, Washington DC. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) thanks the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for recognizing the grave downward spiral of affairs in India in despite India being a democratic nation.
The fact that India prides herself as a democratic state makes it even more critical for her to behave like one respecting the fundamental rights of every citizens and not undermine any sections of the society.
The President of FIACONA Mr. Koshy George said, “I am worried that the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities continues even during the Coronavirus lockdown and I am very disappointed with Prime Minister Modi for not condemning such behavior of his party cadre forcefullyâ€.
He further said, ‘I thank the USCRIRF for recognizing the real state of affairs on the ground in India and India’s downward trend in upholding democratic traditions’.
Mr. John Prabhudoss, the Chairman of FIACONA thanked Commissioner Nadine Maenza for highlighting the specific national issues. He also wanted to know when will Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will be designated as a non-state actor in India?
The Commission said in its report, “Throughout 2019, government action—including the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), continued enforcement of cow slaughter and anti-conversion laws, and the November Supreme Court ruling on the Babri Masjid site—created a culture of impunity for nationwide campaigns of harassment and violence against religious minoritiesâ€.
FIACONA strongly recommends that the US government must take the lead in sanctioning non-state actors and specific individuals in India who perpetrate violent acts against Christian and other religious minorities to send a loud and clear message.
FIACONA also thanked the Trump Administration for its focus and prioritizing Religious Freedom issues in its foreign policy approach. FIACONA hopes that the President understands the serious threat to the state of India and the US interests from the Hindu nationalist movement.
