In April, a&nbsp;US Commission had questioned religious freedom in India. A string of strong verbal rebuttals followed. However, India has now given its stern response.

No visas will be issued to the teams of the United States Commission on international religious freedom.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the decision in a letter to a member of parliament.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had raised objections made by the US Commission. The commission had advised the US government to designate India as a country of particular concern.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-report-on-religious-freedom-blames-pakistan-for-targeted-killing-of-minorities-305123">Also read:&nbsp;US report on religious freedom blames Pakistan for targeted killing of minorities</a>

It was the first time since 2004 that the commission made such a recommendation. It said religious freedom in India had seen a drastic turn downward.

The report cited the controversies around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which led to Delhi riots in February. It even mentioned the scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

The commission said religious minorities are under assault in India. It ranked India along with Pakistan, North Korea, China and Saudi Arabia.

The External Affairs minister has once again hit out at the commission.

In the letter, he said, "We do not see the locus standi of a foreign entity like UNCIRF to pronounce on the state of Indian citizen's constitutionally protected rights."

Jaishankar assured the member of parliament that his ministry will not accept any such external interference or pronouncements.

Since the release of the report, India has maintained that the commission was driven by its prejudices and biases, and has no locus standi whatsoever.

But India has not responded to the comments made by top official in the Trump administration.

Samuel Brownback, the ambassador at large for international religious freedom said, "The US is concerned about what's happening in India in terms of religious freedom."

The comments came hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released the international religious freedom report for 2019.

In April, a US Commission had questioned religious freedom in India. A string of strong verbal rebuttals followed. However, India has now given its stern response.

In April, a US Commission had questioned religious freedom in India. A string of strong verbal rebuttals followed. However, India has now given its stern response. No visas will be issued to the teams of the United States Commission on international religious freedom. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the decision in a letter to a member of parliament. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had raised objections made by the US Commission. The commission had advised the US government to designate India as a country of particular concern. Also read: US report on religious freedom blames Pakistan for targeted killing of minorities It was the first time since 2004 that the commission made such a recommendation. It said religious freedom in India had seen a drastic turn downward. The report cited the controversies around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which led to Delhi riots in February. It even mentioned the scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The commission said religious minorities are under assault in India. It ranked India along with Pakistan, North Korea, China and Saudi Arabia. The External Affairs minister has once again hit out at the commission. In the letter, he said, "We do not see the locus standi of a foreign entity like UNCIRF to pronounce on the state of Indian citizen's constitutionally protected rights." Jaishankar assured the member of parliament that his ministry will not accept any such external interference or pronouncements. Since the release of the report, India has maintained that the commission was driven by its prejudices and biases, and has no locus standi whatsoever. But India has not responded to the comments made by top official in the Trump administration. Samuel Brownback, the ambassador at large for international religious freedom said, "The US is concerned about what's happening in India in terms of religious freedom." The comments came hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released the international religious freedom report for 2019.

No visas for US Commission on international religious freedom: India

Paying back in the same coin, New Delhi on Tuesday evening termed USCIRF&nbsp;- United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as "organization of particular concern" after the Washington headquartered body listed India as a "countries of particular concern" due to "sharp downward turn" on Religious Freedom.

The ministry of external affairs in a statement said, “We reject the observations on India in the USCIRF Annual Report." Explaining, "Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new. But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels."

The statement said, "It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour. We regard it as an organization of particular concern and will treat it accordingly.”

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2020 Annual Report listed India alongside 14 countries like Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and North Korea in the "countries of particular concern" list. Countries are listed in the "countries of particular concern” (CPCs) because their "governments engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing, egregious violations" religious freedom.

The 95-page annual report said, "In 2019, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault."

Three members of the commission dissented from the majority view of listing India as a country of particular concern---Gary L Bauer, Johnnie Moore, Tenzin Dorjee.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Commissioner Gary Bauer said I must dissent from the decision of my fellow Commissioners to recommend India, the world’s largest democracy, for designation as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, placing India in a gallery of rogue nations in which it does not belong. The trend line on religious freedom in India is not reassuring.

But India is not the equivalent of communist China, which wages war on all faiths; nor of North Korea, a prison masquerading as a country; nor of Iran, whose Islamic extremist leaders regularly threaten to unleash a second Holocaust."

Paying back in the same coin, New Delhi on Tuesday evening termed USCIRF - United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as "organization of particular concern" after the Washington headquartered body listed India as a "countries of particular concern" due to "sharp downward turn" on Religious Freedom.

Paying back in the same coin, New Delhi on Tuesday evening termed USCIRF - United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as "organization of particular concern" after the Washington headquartered body listed India as a "countries of particular concern" due to "sharp downward turn" on Religious Freedom. The ministry of external affairs in a statement said, “We reject the observations on India in the USCIRF Annual Report." Explaining, "Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new. But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels." The statement said, "It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour. We regard it as an organization of particular concern and will treat it accordingly.” The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2020 Annual Report listed India alongside 14 countries like Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and North Korea in the "countries of particular concern" list. Countries are listed in the "countries of particular concern” (CPCs) because their "governments engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing, egregious violations" religious freedom. The 95-page annual report said, "In 2019, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault." Three members of the commission dissented from the majority view of listing India as a country of particular concern---Gary L Bauer, Johnnie Moore, Tenzin Dorjee. Commissioner Gary Bauer said I must dissent from the decision of my fellow Commissioners to recommend India, the world’s largest democracy, for designation as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, placing India in a gallery of rogue nations in which it does not belong. The trend line on religious freedom in India is not reassuring. But India is not the equivalent of communist China, which wages war on all faiths; nor of North Korea, a prison masquerading as a country; nor of Iran, whose Islamic extremist leaders regularly threaten to unleash a second Holocaust."

New Delhi terms USCIRF as organization of particular concern after it designates India as country of concern

The Indian government on Tuesday criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for placing India among the list of countries which violate religious freedom.

The USCIRF is an independent federal government entity set up by the US Congress to monitor and report on religious freedom in the world. It had designated India as a 'Country of Particular Concern' on religious freedom -- whose governments engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. India was placed along side Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia among others.&nbsp;

"We are seeing impunity for violence by non-state actors committed against religious minorities," USCIRF chair Tony Perkins said about India.

To this end, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: "We reject the observations on India in the USCIRF annual report."

Describing the USCIRF's comments against India, "biased and tendentious" and "not new", the spokesperson said, "But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels. It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour."

The government said that it regards it as "an organisation of particular concern and will treat it accordingly."

The Indian government on Tuesday criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for placing India among the list of countries which violate religious freedom.

The Indian government on Tuesday criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for placing India among the list of countries which violate religious freedom. The USCIRF is an independent federal government entity set up by the US Congress to monitor and report on religious freedom in the world. It had designated India as a 'Country of Particular Concern' on religious freedom -- whose governments engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. India was placed along side Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia among others. "We are seeing impunity for violence by non-state actors committed against religious minorities," USCIRF chair Tony Perkins said about India. To this end, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: "We reject the observations on India in the USCIRF annual report." Describing the USCIRF's comments against India, "biased and tendentious" and "not new", the spokesperson said, "But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels. It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour." The government said that it regards it as "an organisation of particular concern and will treat it accordingly."

India slams US body for accusing it of violating religious freedom

India on Wednesday came down hard on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for its criticism of the country based on a "misguided" report that COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Ahmedabad were segregated on the basis of their religious identities.

The US Commission expressed concerns over the way India is fighting the coronavirus pandemic following a media report that a government-run hospital in Ahmedabad segregated the infected patients on the basis of their religions.

"As if its peremptory commentary on religious freedom in India is not enough, the USCIRF is now spreading misguided reports on the professional medical protocols followed to deal with the spread of COVID-19 in India," MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

He said no segregation of patients is being done in the civil hospital on the basis of religion as clarified by the Gujarat government.

Mr Srivastava said the USCIRF "must stop adding religious colour to our national goal of fighting the pandemic and distract from larger efforts".

Earlier in a tweet, the Commission said it was concerned over the reports of Hindu and Muslim patients being separated in the hospital. 
"Such actions only help to further increase ongoing stigmatization of Muslims in #India and exacerbate false rumours of Muslims spreading #COVID19," it said.

The USCIRF had earlier criticised India on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

India on Wednesday came down hard on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for its criticism of the country based on a "misguided" report that COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Ahmedabad were segregated on the basis of their religious identities.

India on Wednesday came down hard on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for its criticism of the country based on a "misguided" report that COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Ahmedabad were segregated on the basis of their religious identities. The US Commission expressed concerns over the way India is fighting the coronavirus pandemic following a media report that a government-run hospital in Ahmedabad segregated the infected patients on the basis of their religions. "As if its peremptory commentary on religious freedom in India is not enough, the USCIRF is now spreading misguided reports on the professional medical protocols followed to deal with the spread of COVID-19 in India," MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. He said no segregation of patients is being done in the civil hospital on the basis of religion as clarified by the Gujarat government. Mr Srivastava said the USCIRF "must stop adding religious colour to our national goal of fighting the pandemic and distract from larger efforts". Earlier in a tweet, the Commission said it was concerned over the reports of Hindu and Muslim patients being separated in the hospital. "Such actions only help to further increase ongoing stigmatization of Muslims in #India and exacerbate false rumours of Muslims spreading #COVID19," it said. The USCIRF had earlier criticised India on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

India blasts US religious freedom body for 'spreading misguided reports

A&nbsp;mandated to review facts and circumstances of a violation of international religious freedom have decided to postpone a hearing on freedom of religion or belief in India, which was scheduled for Wednesday.&nbsp;

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said the hearing titled 'Freedom of Religion or Belief in India: Rising Challenges &amp; New Opportunities for US Policy' would be held after the release of its annual report on international religious freedom in May next year.&nbsp;

"Due to an overwhelming response in interest on the topic of religious freedom in India by a wide variety of religious and civic organisations, the USCIRF has announced the postponement of this Wednesday's scheduled hearing in order to accommodate more participants and attendees," the commission said.

A mandated to review facts and circumstances of a violation of international religious freedom have decided to postpone a hearing on freedom of religion or belief in India, which was scheduled for Wednesday.

A mandated to review facts and circumstances of a violation of international religious freedom have decided to postpone a hearing on freedom of religion or belief in India, which was scheduled for Wednesday. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said the hearing titled 'Freedom of Religion or Belief in India: Rising Challenges & New Opportunities for US Policy' would be held after the release of its annual report on international religious freedom in May next year. "Due to an overwhelming response in interest on the topic of religious freedom in India by a wide variety of religious and civic organisations, the USCIRF has announced the postponement of this Wednesday's scheduled hearing in order to accommodate more participants and attendees," the commission said.

USCIRF hearing on religious freedom in India postponed

The US has announced a grant of nearly US $ 500,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka.

The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to &quot;reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India&quot; through its USD 493,827 programme.

And for Sri Lanka, it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

Recipient of both the India Programme and Sri Lanka with similar objectives of religious freedom and protection would be announced after a screening of applications in this regard, it said.

For India, the state department wants the applying organisation to come up with proposals to develop and implement early warning systems to mitigate large-scale violence, and implement conflict mitigation programs between minority and majority groups.

The applicant also needs to ideate successful programme activities to counter hateful or discriminatory public messages with positive messages using all kinds of media.

The state department also wants the applicants to come up with ideas to educate civil society and journalists about legal protections for religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities; document and report religious freedom violations to authorities, and educate law enforcement on human rights standards.

The State Department did not respond immediately to a set of questions on the necessity of such a grant.

According to the information available on the state department&#39;s website, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor supports over 28 democracy, human rights, and labor programmes in South and Central Asia (SCA).

Current funding for these programmes exceeds USD 17 million.

Programme topics include media innovation and development, gender advocacy and equality, and improving protections for political, labor, and human rights.

India is not among the countries listed by the state department as recipient of these funding programmes.

The countries currently receiving grants from the US in the region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

In its latest International Religious Freedom report, the state department said Christian and Muslim activists stated the government was not doing enough to protect them against religiously motivated attacks.

There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and proselytize, it said.

There was an increase in violent incidents by cow protection groups against mostly Muslim victims, including killings, mob violence, assaults, and intimidation.

Hindus threatened and assaulted Muslims and Christians and destroyed their property, it added.

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), there were more than 300 incidents of abuse targeting Christians during the year, compared with 177 in 2015.

Incidents included assaults on missionaries, forced conversions of non-Hindus, and attacks on churches, schools, and private property.

As for Sri Lanka, the state department notice of funding opportunity said it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.&nbsp;

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The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to 'reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India' through its USD 493,827 programme

The US has announced a grant of nearly US $ 500,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka. The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to "reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India" through its USD 493,827 programme. And for Sri Lanka, it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom. Recipient of both the India Programme and Sri Lanka with similar objectives of religious freedom and protection would be announced after a screening of applications in this regard, it said. For India, the state department wants the applying organisation to come up with proposals to develop and implement early warning systems to mitigate large-scale violence, and implement conflict mitigation programs between minority and majority groups. The applicant also needs to ideate successful programme activities to counter hateful or discriminatory public messages with positive messages using all kinds of media. The state department also wants the applicants to come up with ideas to educate civil society and journalists about legal protections for religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities; document and report religious freedom violations to authorities, and educate law enforcement on human rights standards. The State Department did not respond immediately to a set of questions on the necessity of such a grant. According to the information available on the state department's website, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor supports over 28 democracy, human rights, and labor programmes in South and Central Asia (SCA). Current funding for these programmes exceeds USD 17 million. Programme topics include media innovation and development, gender advocacy and equality, and improving protections for political, labor, and human rights. India is not among the countries listed by the state department as recipient of these funding programmes. The countries currently receiving grants from the US in the region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In its latest International Religious Freedom report, the state department said Christian and Muslim activists stated the government was not doing enough to protect them against religiously motivated attacks. There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and proselytize, it said. There was an increase in violent incidents by cow protection groups against mostly Muslim victims, including killings, mob violence, assaults, and intimidation. Hindus threatened and assaulted Muslims and Christians and destroyed their property, it added. According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), there were more than 300 incidents of abuse targeting Christians during the year, compared with 177 in 2015. Incidents included assaults on missionaries, forced conversions of non-Hindus, and attacks on churches, schools, and private property. As for Sri Lanka, the state department notice of funding opportunity said it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

US grants $500,000 to promote religious freedom in India, Sri Lanka