The Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi tweeted his response to the release of the United States State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom,&nbsp;a day after United States’ secretary of state Anthony Blinken spoke of “rising attacks on people and places of worship” in India, on Friday, June 3.

Bagchi said, "We have noted the release of the U.S. State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, and the ill-informed comments by the senior U.S. officials.

It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided.

As a naturally pluralistic society, India values religious freedom and human rights. In our discussions with the US, we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence."

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Our response to media queries regarding the release of U.S. State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom:<a href="https://t.co/zlwdjgzoOn">https://t.co/zlwdjgzoOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/rBkJaVpxq5">pic.twitter.com/rBkJaVpxq5</a>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1532672941460434944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In February, the United States had expressed concern over the current situation of religious freedom in India and raised the issue with Indian officials, a senior State Department official said. The remarks came in the wake of widespread protests held across India against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

As reported by Press Trust of India, the senior State Department official, on condition of anonymity had said, "We are concerned about what's taking place in India. I have met with the Indian foreign minister. I've met with the Indian ambassador (to express my concern),"&nbsp; 
India maintains that the Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities.

It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution provides protection of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect fundamental rights, a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship.

The Indian government has been emphasising that the new law will not deny any citizenship rights but has been brought to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and give them citizenship.

[With inputs from agencies]

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The Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi tweeted his response to the release of the United States State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, a day after United States’ secretary of state Anthony Blinken spoke of “rising attacks on people and places of worship” in India, on Friday, June 3.

The Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi tweeted his response to the release of the United States State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, a day after United States’ secretary of state Anthony Blinken spoke of “rising attacks on people and places of worship” in India, on Friday, June 3. Bagchi said, "We have noted the release of the U.S. State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, and the ill-informed comments by the senior U.S. officials. It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided. As a naturally pluralistic society, India values religious freedom and human rights. In our discussions with the US, we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence." Our response to media queries regarding the release of U.S. State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom:https://t.co/zlwdjgzoOn pic.twitter.com/rBkJaVpxq5 — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 3, 2022 × In February, the United States had expressed concern over the current situation of religious freedom in India and raised the issue with Indian officials, a senior State Department official said. The remarks came in the wake of widespread protests held across India against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As reported by Press Trust of India, the senior State Department official, on condition of anonymity had said, "We are concerned about what's taking place in India. I have met with the Indian foreign minister. I've met with the Indian ambassador (to express my concern)," India maintains that the Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities. It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution provides protection of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect fundamental rights, a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs said. According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship. The Indian government has been emphasising that the new law will not deny any citizenship rights but has been brought to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and give them citizenship. [With inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

MEA India says vote bank politics is being practised in international relations

India’s Charge d'Affaires who was summoned over the hijab controversy in Islamabad on Thursday hit back&nbsp;saying that Pakistan should “track their own record” before throwing “baseless” allegations against India, Indian media reported citing diplomatic officials.

According to reports, Indian envoy Suresh Kumar told his counterparts in Pakistan foreign office that “India is a secular country” and there are “processes in place”.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s foreign office said that the Indian diplomat was conveyed Pakistan's deep concern over alleged religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination against Muslims in India.

A statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said, "The Charge d' Affaires was urged to convey to the Government of India, Pakistan's extreme concern over the anti-hijab campaign, being spearheaded by RSS-BJP combine in Karnataka, which is part of its larger exclusionist and majoritarian agenda aimed at dehumanising and demonising Muslim women."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-hijab-row-from-dress-code-to-protests-what-really-is-the-issue-451444">Karnataka hijab row: From dress code to protests, what really is the issue?</a>

"The Indian government must hold the perpetrators of harassment against women in Karnataka to account and take adequate measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Muslim women," news agency PTI reported, citing the statement.

The hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in southern Karnataka state when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes wearing hijab (a headscarf worn by Muslim women).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-hijab-niqab-burqa-the-different-islamic-clothing-for-women-451678">Explainer: Hijab, Niqab, Burqa, the different Islamic clothing for women</a>

The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Ukraine Direct: India debates Hijab ban in colleges

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Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 to 11 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE).

(With inputs from agencies)

India’s Charge d'Affaires who was summoned over the hijab controversy in Islamabad on Thursday hit back saying that Pakistan should “track their own record” before throwing “baseless” allegations against India, Indian media reported citing diplomatic officials.

India’s Charge d'Affaires who was summoned over the hijab controversy in Islamabad on Thursday hit back saying that Pakistan should “track their own record” before throwing “baseless” allegations against India, Indian media reported citing diplomatic officials. According to reports, Indian envoy Suresh Kumar told his counterparts in Pakistan foreign office that “India is a secular country” and there are “processes in place”. Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s foreign office said that the Indian diplomat was conveyed Pakistan's deep concern over alleged religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination against Muslims in India. A statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said, "The Charge d' Affaires was urged to convey to the Government of India, Pakistan's extreme concern over the anti-hijab campaign, being spearheaded by RSS-BJP combine in Karnataka, which is part of its larger exclusionist and majoritarian agenda aimed at dehumanising and demonising Muslim women." Also read | Karnataka hijab row: From dress code to protests, what really is the issue? "The Indian government must hold the perpetrators of harassment against women in Karnataka to account and take adequate measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Muslim women," news agency PTI reported, citing the statement. The hijab protests began on February 4 at the Government Girls PU college in Udupi district in southern Karnataka state when some students alleged that they had been barred from attending classes wearing hijab (a headscarf worn by Muslim women). Also read | Explainer: Hijab, Niqab, Burqa, the different Islamic clothing for women The pre-University education board had released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious practices will be allowed in colleges. Watch | Gravitas Ukraine Direct: India debates Hijab ban in colleges Following these protests, a three-day holiday from February 9 to 11 has been declared in all the universities under the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE). (With inputs from agencies)

‘Look at your own record’: Indian envoy summoned over hijab controversy hits back at Pakistan

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