New Delhi on Thursday (Oct 3) rubbished a report by US government commission alleging decline in religious freedom in India. Earlier, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had called India a "country of particular concern". In a strong reply, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it was an attempt to "peddle a motivated narrative". Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s official spokesperson, said their views on the "biased organisation with a political agenda" are well known.

"Our views on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) are well known. It is a biased organisation with a political agenda. It continues to misrepresent facts and peddles a motivated narrative about India. We reject this malicious report, which only serves to discredit USCIRF further," Jaiswal said.

India also told the US commission to look within and urged it to address human rights issues in their own nation.

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"We would urge USCIRF to desist from such agenda-driven efforts. The USCIRF would also be well advised to utilise its time more productively on addressing human rights issues in the United States," he added.

USCIRF, in its report, had alleged that attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in India had increased due to prevailing misinformation and disinformation. The commission then urged Washington DC to designate India as a "country of particular concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom".

“This report highlights how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and places of worship have been demolished. These events constitute particularly severe violations of religious freedom," the commission said in its report.

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It’s not uncommon for the US agency to accuse India of infringing upon rights of religious minorities.

In May, while reacting to a similar report published by the USCIRF, Indian foreign ministry had said, “We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise in the world will never succeed." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

New Delhi on Thursday (Oct 3) rubbished a report by US government commission alleging decline in religious freedom in India. Earlier, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had called India a "country of particular concern".

New Delhi on Thursday (Oct 3) rubbished a report by US government commission alleging decline in religious freedom in India. Earlier, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had called India a "country of particular concern". In a strong reply, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it was an attempt to "peddle a motivated narrative". Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s official spokesperson, said their views on the "biased organisation with a political agenda" are well known. "Our views on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) are well known. It is a biased organisation with a political agenda. It continues to misrepresent facts and peddles a motivated narrative about India. We reject this malicious report, which only serves to discredit USCIRF further," Jaiswal said. India also told the US commission to look within and urged it to address human rights issues in their own nation. Also read: US military releases video of ‘unsafe’ Russian fighter jet manoeuvre near Alaska "We would urge USCIRF to desist from such agenda-driven efforts. The USCIRF would also be well advised to utilise its time more productively on addressing human rights issues in the United States," he added. USCIRF, in its report, had alleged that attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in India had increased due to prevailing misinformation and disinformation. The commission then urged Washington DC to designate India as a "country of particular concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom". “This report highlights how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and places of worship have been demolished. These events constitute particularly severe violations of religious freedom," the commission said in its report. Also read: ‘Resulted in heavy loss,’ India Day parade in US faces hate over Ram Mandir tableau It’s not uncommon for the US agency to accuse India of infringing upon rights of religious minorities. In May, while reacting to a similar report published by the USCIRF, Indian foreign ministry had said, “We really have no expectation that the USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise in the world will never succeed." (With inputs from agencies)

‘Address issues in US,’ India roasts US agency alleging abuses against religious minorities

US agency is investigating Facebook for alleged racial bias in process of hiring and granting promotion at the workplace. The equal employment opportunity commission has designated the problem as systemic. This means the agency suspect that the company policies may be contributing to widespread discrimination.

US agency probes Facebook for alleged racial bias

The United States has cleared a grant for the media company started by the Palestinian journalist died in Gaza border clashes last week.

News agency Reuters said quoting a US official that US Agency for International Development has approved $11,700 in a grant for funding for his production company Ain media.

The grant is for technical assistance and equipment such as computers.

Yasser Murtaja who is a cameraman succumbed to injuries after being shot by Israeli troops while he was covering the protest.

Yasser Murtaja was a co-founder of Ain Media.

State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert said Murtaja had been vetted under US government guidelines during a press briefing.

"We are aware of reports that a journalist operating in Gaza was killed in the clashes in Gaza. I don`t have specifics about his particular case, but we are looking into it," Nauert told a regular press briefing.

Though the US has approved the grant for him but distanced itself from commenting on his shooting.

After the shooting, the Israeli government explained itself saying that the Israeli Defence Force was not intending to target journalists.

The Israeli army has will also&nbsp;an investigation into the journalist's killing.

Yasser Murtaj's killing was among the nine casualties in a&nbsp;total of Friday.

At least six journalists reportedly have also been shot and wounded.

&nbsp;

US Agency for International Development has approved $11,700 in a grant for funding for his production company Ain media

The United States has cleared a grant for the media company started by the Palestinian journalist died in Gaza border clashes last week. News agency Reuters said quoting a US official that US Agency for International Development has approved $11,700 in a grant for funding for his production company Ain media. The grant is for technical assistance and equipment such as computers. Yasser Murtaja who is a cameraman succumbed to injuries after being shot by Israeli troops while he was covering the protest. Yasser Murtaja was a co-founder of Ain Media. State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert said Murtaja had been vetted under US government guidelines during a press briefing. "We are aware of reports that a journalist operating in Gaza was killed in the clashes in Gaza. I don`t have specifics about his particular case, but we are looking into it," Nauert told a regular press briefing. Though the US has approved the grant for him but distanced itself from commenting on his shooting. After the shooting, the Israeli government explained itself saying that the Israeli Defence Force was not intending to target journalists. The Israeli army has will also an investigation into the journalist's killing. Yasser Murtaj's killing was among the nine casualties in a total of Friday. At least six journalists reportedly have also been shot and wounded.

US clears grant for Palestinian journalist shot in Gaza: Report

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‘Address issues in US,’ India roasts US agency alleging abuses against religious minorities

US agency probes Facebook for alleged racial bias

US clears grant for Palestinian journalist shot in Gaza: Report