Washington.
The US government commission, USCIRF (US Commission on International Religious Freedom), has once again come under fire for its anti-India stance. After remaining silent on the attack on a Hindu temple in the US last month and the increasing racial incidents against Indians, the commission has instead falsely accused India of attacks on gurdwaras and other religious sites. The commission has also recommended the US government impose conditions on military and security assistance to India.
Demand for Conditions on Security Assistance to India
Sharing a post on the social media platform X, the commission wrote that Commissioner David Anderson claims that Sikh gurdwaras are being targeted in India. The commission says the US government should link its security assistance to India's response, which allegedly prevents people from exercising their right to religious freedom (FoRB). The Commission has pressured the US administration to direct the Indian government to take strict action against the perpetrators of alleged attacks on gurdwaras, mosques, and churches.
Silence on attacks in the US, baseless accusations against India
It is noteworthy that last month, a serious attempt was made to target a Hindu temple in the US, but the Commission remained completely silent on that incident. There have been frequent violent attacks and racist comments against Indians in the US for some time now, to which the Commission expressed no objection. In contrast, baseless statements are being made about India's internal affairs from Washington.
What is the agenda of USCIRF?
Simply put, USCIRF is a US commission whose primary function is to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and defame governments in accordance with US interests. However, the US describes it as an "independent and bipartisan federal commission" that sends its recommendations to the President, the State Department, and the US Congress. Its recommendations are not legally binding, but US governments have used them as a tool for pressure. For several years, the commission has sought to have India listed as a country of particular concern, although the US State Department has consistently rejected this demand.