USCIRF says India’s political system enabling discrimination against minorities
Links BJP–RSS ties to ‘discriminatory laws’
New Delhi: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released a new update on India, stating that the country’s political structure and the close relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are contributing to discriminatory laws and restrictions on religious freedom.
The bipartisan body, which reports to the US Congress, said in its India-specific issue update that both national and state-level laws have created “severe restrictions on religious freedom across the country”. It added that constitutional protections exist, but India’s political environment “facilitates a climate of discrimination toward religious minority communities”.
The Indian government has not responded to the latest update. Earlier this year, when USCIRF released its 2025 annual report in March, the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the findings as “biased and politically motivated”.
In its latest analysis, the Commission says that the “interconnected relationship” between the ruling BJP and the RSS — which it describes as a Hindu nationalist organisation — has enabled the creation and enforcement of laws such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, anti-conversion legislation, and cow-protection measures that disproportionately affect Muslims and Christians.
According to the update, the BJP has, since 2014, “enforced sectarian policies seeking to establish India as an overtly Hindu state, in contrast with the secular principles of the Constitution.” It says this enforcement has restricted the ability of minority communities to practise their religion freely, in violation of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a signatory.
USCIRF says the RSS’s stated mission of creating a “Hindu Rashtra” excludes multiple minority groups. It also notes that while the RSS does not contest elections, it provides key organisational support to BJP candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was an RSS volunteer before becoming Gujarat chief minister. The update repeats long-standing allegations that Modi faced accusations of inaction during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The report comes days after a US media investigation revealed that the RSS allegedly hired the lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) to promote its interests in Washington DC, reportedly paying $330,000 over the first three quarters of 2025.
USCIRF’s update highlights several laws it says restrict religious freedom. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which excludes Muslims from its list of protected communities; Article 295A of the Penal Code, which functions like a blasphemy provision; and state-level anti-conversion and cow-slaughter laws. The Commission said hundreds of Christians and Muslims have been arrested under these laws and noted that 70% of India’s prison population consists of pre-trial detainees, with minorities disproportionately represented.
It also cited the case of activist Umar Khalid, jailed since 2020 over protests against the CAA, as an example of prolonged detention without trial.
The report says India’s federal structure, which places policing under state jurisdiction, limits accountability for human rights violations. It claims law enforcement frequently fails to act on mob violence targeting minorities.
In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF, for the sixth year, recommended that the US State Department designate India a “Country of Particular Concern” for what it called systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom. Washington has so far not acted on this recommendation.
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RCB score imposing 240/4 against MI in IPL match
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions put up an imposing 240 for 4 -- the second-highest score this season -- against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt smashed a 36-ball 78, studded with six boundaries and as many maximums, while stalwart Kohli made a composed 50 off 38 balls, as the duo put on a polished 120-run stand for the opening wicket.
Salt was dismissed by Shardul Thakur in his very first over, the team's 11th, providing a huge sigh of relief to MI.
Skipper Rajat Patidar then took over from where Salt left off, scoring a rapid 53 off just 20 balls, studded with four boundaries and five sixes, as RCB made quite a statement.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to field.
Brief scores: 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
