Just in: India responds to the The US Religious Freedom report."Once again the US fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and its society. The government does not see the locus standi of a foreign entity like USCIRF to pronounce on Indian citizens' constitutionally protected rights," the MEA said.


The US Congress-formed federal body on international religious freedom said religious freedom in India was on a "negative trajectory" in 2015 as religious tolerance "deteriorated" and religious freedom violations "increased".

The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2016 annual report also suggested that the Indian government publicly rebuke officials and religious leaders that make derogatory statements about religious communities.


It has also appealed to the Obama administration to designate Pakistan among nations listed as worst violators of religious freedom due to the current state of minorities in the country.