A report released this week by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom details religious freedom violations in India against religious minorities and Hindu Dalits and offers recommendations for the Indian government and the U.S. government.
“Constitutional and Legal Challenges Faced by Religious Minorities in India” examines the disparity between the Indian Constitution’s statement of a secular state and the reality that “neither in laws nor in practice does there exist any separation between religion and the state.”
Written by Dr. Iqtidar Karamat Cheema, director of the UK-based Institute for Leadership and Community Development, the USCIRF-sponsored report delineates issues requiring resolution for India to bring its laws and practice into conformity with its constitution, which disallows formation of a theocratic state and precludes the state from “identifying itself with, or otherwise favoring, any particular religion.”
Yet, the report states, blatant discrimination is exercised by state and national government bodies against non-Hindu religions in the religiously diverse country of 1.2 billion people that is 80% Hindu, with 172.2 million Muslims, 27.8 million Christians, 20.8 million Sikhs, and 4.5 million Jains.
During the past few years, religious tolerance has deteriorated and religious freedom violations have increased in some areas of India.USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J.
USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J., stated: “India is a religiously diverse and democratic society with a constitution that provides legal equality for its citizens irrespective of their religion and prohibits religion-based discrimination.”
“However, the reality is far different. In fact, India’s pluralistic tradition faces serious challenges in a number of its states. During the past few years, religious tolerance has deteriorated and religious freedom violations have increased in some areas of India. To reverse this negative trajectory, the Indian and state governments must align their laws with both the country’s constitutional commitments and international human rights standards.”
The report makes recommendations to Indian state and national governments to revise laws to bring them into conformance with India’s constitution and with international human rights conventions. The report also makes recommendations to the U.S. government for promoting religious freedom in India. It is the role of USCIRF to advise the President, Secretary of State and other government officials on religious freedom in the world.
More information about religious freedom in India and other countries is available in the USCIRF 2016 Annual Report.
