International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report 2019 has been published by the US State Department. This annual survey sheds light on the state of religious freedom across various nations worldwide. This year, the report has included a country-specific study for India, bringing a focus to the issue of religious freedom in the nation. Earlier, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF report) significantly downgraded India’s religious freedom rating, placing it in the ‘Country of Particular Concern (CPC)’ category.
Key Points from the IRF Report
The IRF report provides both positive and negative examples of countries in terms of religious freedom. Nicaragua, Nigeria, and China were mentioned as negative examples, with China coming under particular criticism for state-sponsored repression against all religions, stemming from the Chinese Communist Party. Interestingly, India was not cited in either list.
Country Report for India
The country report for India emphasized several significant developments in 2019 that affected religious freedom. These include the status of Jammu and Kashmir, the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The report also discussed the issues of mob lynchings, anti-conversion laws, and cow vigilantism.
The report highlighted an urgent need to ensure full protection to minorities in the country as per the Indian Constitution, in light of alleged attacks and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities. It also outlined U.S. engagement with India on these issues.
India’s Response
The Indian government strongly rebuffed the findings of the report, arguing that foreign governments have no right to comment on the condition of its citizens’ constitutionally protected rights. It further argued that the report overlooked the religious freedoms enjoyed by various communities in India.
Freedom of Religion in India
The Indian constitution provides a solid foundation for freedom of religion. Article 25-28 of the Constitution of India guarantees this fundamental right. These articles cover the freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion; freedom to manage religious affairs; freedom from paying taxes for the promotion of any particular religion; and freedom regarding attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions. Furthermore, Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution focus on the protection of minority interests.
Religious Freedom in the U.S.
The U.S. government recently signed an executive order that includes an official push for prioritizing religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy. This order also instructed the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to set aside $50 million from its annual budget for programs promoting religious freedom. Despite this, the U.S. has recently faced domestic protests following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer.