lmpose sanctions on Indian govt agencies, officials for violating minority rights: USCIRF

By Our Representative
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has decided to recommend to the US government to declare India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its "severe violations" of human rights and religious freedoms for the fifth consecutive year.
The CPC label is a designation reserved for the world’s worst violators of religious freedom.
In its 2024 annual report, USCIRF highlighted that religious freedoms in India continued to deteriorate, including through enforcing discriminatory nationalist policies, perpetuating hateful rhetoric, and failing to address communal violence “disproportionately affecting” religious minorities, and “targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.”
USCIRF similarly expressed its disappointment with the Biden administration for ignoring its recommendation to designate India as a CPC in 2023.
“In December, the U.S. Department of State failed to designate India as a CPC despite major religious freedom concerns,” the report stated.
The report pointed out the scope of anti-Muslim violence by Hindu supremacists, saying. “Throughout the year, violence against Muslims and their places of worship continued. Several mosques were destroyed under police presence and vigilantes attacked Muslims under the guise of protecting cows from slaughter, deemed illegal in 18 states.”
Examples cited included mass anti-Muslim violence in Haryana state in July 2023, the murder of three Muslim train passengers by a Hindu extremist security officer, and cow vigilante violence orchestrated by prominent vigilante Monu Manesar, including the abduction and brutal mob lynching of two Muslim men in January.
USCIRF also emphasized that “Indian authorities also increasingly engaged in acts of transnational repression targeting religious minorities abroad,” citing the reported involvement of the Indian government in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, as well as a plot to kill Sikh American activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.

In addition to recommending that India be listed on the CPC list, USCIRF has also urged the US government to raise religious freedom issues in the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of minority rights.
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), claiming to be the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States, has lauded USCIRF for once again recommending India as a CPC, even as regretting that the Biden administration has consistently ignored this recommendation for years.

IAMC executive director Rasheed Ahmed said in a statement, “Especially in the light of increasing transnational repression from the Indian government, the administration must immediately act on all of USCIRF’s recommendations to hold India accountable, rather than giving Modi a free pass to abuse human rights both in India and abroad.”
Calling on the US Department of State to immediately act on the Commission’s recommendations and holding the Indian government accountable for escalating a climate of anti-minority violence and hatred, IAMC urged the Indian government to take immediate steps to address these concerns and protect the rights of all of its citizens, regardless of their religion.

Comments

TU activist Anirudh Rajan, lawyer Ajay Kumar in custody: Wounded reputation of world's largest democracy?

By Vedika S* Over the last few days, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), known to be tasked with suppressing revolutionary, democratic, and progressive forces, conducted a series of raids across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Targets included human rights attorney Pankaj Tripathi, student leader Devendra Azad, and peasant union leader Sukhwinder Kaur. Lawyer and anti-displacement activist Ajay Kumar was arrested and taken to his home in Mohali, which was subsequently raided. He is now imprisoned in Lucknow as a suspect in the NIA's "Northern Regional Bureau (NRB) Revival case."

RG Kar saga: Towards liberation from the constraints of rigid political parties?

By Atanu Roy* There's a saying: "There is no such thing as a half-pregnancy." This adage seems particularly relevant when discussing the current regime of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party appears to be entrenched in widespread corruption that affects nearly every aspect of our lives. One must wonder, why would they exclude the health sector—a lucrative area where illicit money can flow freely, thanks to a network of corrupt leaders colluding with ambitious bureaucrats?

India's 55.6% still can't afford healthy diet, yet food wastage a serious issue

By Vikas Meshram According to this year's 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' report, India has the highest number of malnourished people in the world, with a staggering 195 million affected. This report, prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, was published jointly by five UN agencies, including UNICEF. The report also highlights a slight improvement in India's statistics: between 2004-06, the number of malnourished people in the country was 240 million.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Unwavering source of ideological inspiration in politics, life: Personal tribute to Yechury

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak Sitaram Yechury was everyone's comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defines his everyday life as a committed communist.

Trailblazer in literary innovation, critic of Indian mythology, including Ramayana

By Harsh Thakor* Ranganayakamma, commonly known as RN, stands out as a transformative figure in promoting Marxist thought, democratic ideals, and anti-caste principles through her remarkably clear and engaging writing style. A trailblazer in literary innovation, her works span a broad array of topics, from critiques of Indian mythology and revivalism to discussions on civil liberties, the Indian Communist Movement, and Maoism in China.

'Abduction' of labour activist Anirudh Rajan part of a 'troubling trend': CASR

By Our Representative The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong denunciation of the "abduction" of labour rights activist Anirudh Rajan, who was taken by state authorities on September 5, 2024, while traveling to meet his family. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and various state forces have increasingly targeted trade union and democratic rights activists over the past year.

'Void in Leftist landscape': Loss of Sitaram Yechury who had helped form INDIA bloc

By Vikas Meshram* The passing of Sitaram Yechury has cast a profound stillness over leftist organizations across India. Renowned as a distinguished politician, columnist, economist, and social activist, Yechury was a staunch advocate for student rights and movements. His leadership skills became apparent early in his academic career, as he was elected three times as the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury also endured imprisonment during the Emergency period, underscoring his commitment to political activism.

'300 Nazis fell by your gun': Most successful female sniper in history

By Harsh Thakor* "Miss Pavlichenko’s well known to fame, Russia’s your country, fighting is your game. The whole world will always love you for all time to come, Three hundred Nazis fell by your gun." — from Woody Guthrie's “Miss Pavlichenko"

Search This Blog