US panel flags ‘declining’ religious freedom in India; New Delhi rejects assessment

A bipartisan US federal commission has claimed that religious freedom conditions in India remain on a “downward trajectory” in 2026, alleging persecution of minorities, restrictions on civil society organisations, censorship and instances of transnational repression. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its latest country brief on India released this week, raised concerns over what it described as systematic and continuing violations affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Dalits.

India has consistently rejected USCIRF’s assessments, questioning the commission’s credibility and accusing it of presenting a biased picture of the country’s religious and social landscape.

India rejects allegations

Responding to criticism from the commission earlier this month, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described USCIRF as a “biased organisation” pursuing its own agenda. “We do not expect that the USCIRF will engage with the reality of India’s pluralistic framework or acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities,” Jaiswal said on August 22.

New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that India is a pluralistic democracy whose Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal rights to its citizens.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US government body that monitors religious freedom abroad and makes policy recommendations to the US administration and Congress. Its recommendations are not binding on the US government.

Panel raises detention concerns

In its August 27 brief, USCIRF alleged that Indian authorities continued to detain people for exercising freedom of religion or belief or advocating for the rights of others.

The commission referred to cases involving Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Jagtar Singh Johal and Ali Khan Mahmudabad while raising concerns over the use of anti-terror and other criminal laws.

Khalid and Imam are accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and have faced charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Johal, a British citizen arrested in Punjab in 2017, continues to face multiple cases despite being acquitted in one case last year.

Mahmudabad, a university professor, was arrested in 2025 over social media posts and subsequently granted interim bail by the Supreme Court.

Anti-conversion laws flagged

The commission also criticised the enforcement of anti-conversion and cow slaughter laws in several states, alleging that such provisions disproportionately affect religious minorities.

It further raised concerns about restrictions imposed on non-government organisations, including faith-based groups, and alleged that legal and administrative measures were being used to curtail their activities.

USCIRF claimed that mob violence targeting minority communities continued with insufficient accountability and also alleged that internet restrictions had been used to limit communication during periods of communal tension.

The commission further repeated concerns about alleged transnational repression targeting members of minority communities outside India.

USCIRF has sought CPC status

The latest brief follows USCIRF’s 2026 annual report, in which it recommended that the US State Department designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations.

USCIRF has made similar recommendations concerning India for several consecutive years. The US State Department, however, has not accepted its recommendation to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern.

The latest report is likely to draw another strong response from New Delhi, which has maintained that USCIRF’s assessments selectively highlight incidents while failing to reflect India’s constitutional safeguards and diverse religious society.