USCIRF SAYS BJP–RSS TIES ENABLE DISCRIMINATORY LAWS IN INDIA

Fri 21 November 2025:

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its latest annual assessment, has issued a sharp critique of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). According to the report, the “interconnected relationship” between the BJP and the RSS has facilitated the creation, expansion, and enforcement of laws that systematically discriminate against religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.

USCIRF notes that while the RSS does not contest elections, it plays a significant political role by shaping ideological narratives and mobilising support for the BJP. The organisation’s long-standing vision of establishing India as a “Hindu Rashtra” is cited as a driving force behind several recent laws and policy decisions. The report highlights that RSS volunteers have actively campaigned for BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thereby strengthening the BJP–RSS political synergy.

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Among the laws criticised, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is described as a landmark example of discriminatory legislation. USCIRF argues that by offering expedited citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring countries, the Act violates international human rights norms that require equal treatment regardless of religious identity. Additionally, the commission raises concerns about state-level anti-conversion laws, which it says are increasingly used to target Christians and Muslims under the pretext of preventing “forced conversions.” These laws have resulted in numerous arrests, with many individuals remaining in prolonged pretrial detention.

Cow slaughter bans in several BJP-ruled states are also mentioned as contributing to a climate of fear and legal vulnerability for minorities, especially Muslims engaged in cattle trade or meat-related occupations. Alongside these laws, USCIRF points to the utilisation of stringent provisions under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which it claims have been selectively applied to suppress minority community activists, scholars, and civil society organisations.

The commission asserts that India’s legislative landscape is increasingly at odds with its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees freedom of religion and belief. It warns that discriminatory laws, coupled with rising incidents of communal violence, reflect a broader trend of intolerance facilitated by political structures.

Given these findings, USCIRF has once again recommended that the U.S. State Department designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) — the most serious category reserved for nations engaged in systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom.

The Indian government has strongly rejected the report, calling it “biased,” “agenda-driven,” and based on flawed understanding. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that USCIRF has no locus standi in evaluating India’s internal affairs and accused the commission of relying on politically motivated sources. Several Indian groups have also questioned the credibility of the report, arguing that it ignores India’s pluralistic traditions and constitutional mechanisms.

Despite India’s rejection, the USCIRF assessment is likely to influence policy debates in Washington, potentially adding pressure on bilateral relations. The report also reinforces ongoing domestic discussions about secularism, minority rights, and the growing impact of ideological organisations on governance in India.

This article is republished from Muslim MIrror. license. Read the original article.