India rejects USCIRF calls for sanctions against RSS

The Indian government has rejected criticisms from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding religious freedom in India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the USCIRF as a “biased” organization that lacks credibility and has a history of making “disparaging and inflammatory remarks” about the country.

The dispute follows calls by USCIRF officials for the US government to impose sanctions on members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and to withhold diplomatic courtesies from its leaders. USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood and Commissioner Gene Mills have criticized the RSS, with the commission previously recommending that India be designated a “country of particular concern” due to alleged religious freedom violations.

In response, the advocacy group HinduPACT accused the USCIRF of conducting a “smear campaign” against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat ahead of a proposed visit to the United States. HinduPACT alleged that the commission has abandoned its mandate to instead promote an “anti-Hindu narrative” and unfairly stigmatize Hindu leadership and institutions.