Washington, Apr 29: A US government panel on Tuesday called for India to be put on a religious freedom blacklist over a "drastic" downturn under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering a sharp rebuttal from New Delhi.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommends but does not set policy, and there is virtually no chance the State Department will follow its lead on India, an increasingly close US ally.
In an annual report, the bipartisan panel narrowly agreed that India should join the ranks of "countries of particular concern" that would be subject to sanctions if they do not improve their records.
"In 2019, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault," the report said.
It called on the United States to impose punitive measures, including visa bans, on Indian officials believed responsible and grant funding to civil society groups that monitor hate speech.
The commission said that Modi's Hindu nationalist government, which won a convincing election victory last year, "allowed violence against minorities and their houses of worship to continue with impunity, and also engaged in and tolerated hate speech and incitement to violence."
It pointed to comments by Home Minister Amit Shah, who notoriously referred to mostly Muslim migrants as "termites," and to a citizenship law that has triggered nationwide protests.
It also highlighted the revocation of the autonomy of Kashmir, which was India's only Muslim-majority state, and allegations that Delhi police turned a blind eye to mobs who attacked Muslim neighborhoods in February this year.
Coronavirus state-wise India update: Total number of confirmed cases, deaths on April 29
The Indian government, long irritated by the commission's comments, quickly rejected the report.
"Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new. But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels," foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said.
"We regard it as an organization of particular concern and will treat it accordingly," he said in a statement.
The State Department designates nine "countries of particular concern" on religious freedom -- China, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The commission asked that all nine countries remain on the list. In addition to India, it sought the inclusion of four more -- Nigeria, Russia, Syria and Vietnam.
Pakistan, India's historic rival, was added by the State Department in 2018 after years of appeals by the commission.
In its latest report, the commission said that Pakistan "continued to trend negatively," voicing alarm at forced conversions of Hindus and other minorities, abuse of blasphemy prosecutions and a ban on the Ahmadi sect calling itself Muslim.
India's citizenship law fast-tracks naturalization for minorities from neighbouring countries -- but not if they are Muslim.
Modi's government says it is not targeting Muslims but rather providing refuge to persecuted people and should be commended.
But critics consider it a watershed move by Modi to define the world's largest democracy as a Hindu nation and chip away at independent India's founding principle of secularism.
Tony Perkins, the commission's chair, called the law a "tipping point" and voiced concern about a registry in the northeastern state of Assam, under which 1.9 million people failed to produce documentation to prove that they were Indian citizens before 1971 when mostly Muslim migrants flowed in during Bangladesh's bloody war of independence.
"The intentions of the national leaders are to bring this about throughout the entire country," Perkins told an online news conference.
"You could potentially have 100 million people, mostly Muslims, left stateless because of their religion. That would be, obviously, an international issue," said Perkins, a Christian activist known for his opposition to gay rights who is close to President Donald Trump's administration.
Three of the nine commissioners dissented -- including another prominent Christian conservative, Gary Bauer, who voiced alarm about India's direction but said the ally could not be likened to non-democracies such as China.
"I am deeply concerned that this public denunciation risks exactly the opposite outcome than the one we all desire," Bauer said.
Trump, who called for a ban on Muslim immigration to the US when he ran for president, hailed Modi on a February visit to New Delhi.
Mangaluru, Jan 16: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is holding rallies and meetings and distributing booklets across the country in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, said ABVP National Secretary Harsha Narayan here on Thursday.
Comments
Ibraheem Hussain Udupi, Just one thing If he is wrong he will be punished and Mashallah we know that he has a good reputation and if you are wrong Alaah will punish you. So It is only right and wrong. YOU ARE PURE JEALOUS.
Mohammad, Mangalore
The facts which I wrote is 100% true and nothing conceited. People of Kudroli know Masood and his family and their contribution to the Muslim Community. If you compare his economical condition from 50 years back to now, you will realize from where he got the money. He was henchman of Mr. Poojari, who brought him to political life, and bank loans approved to him for his various projects and hotels in undivided DK district while Poojari was central Minister. Poojari made him as MLC and he was not elected MLC. Masood was not born with Golden spoon, by hook or crook become rich man that everyone knows. He is a \PRACHARA PRIYA\".
I have no enmity with Masood, whatever I wrote it is fact and people from Muslim Community of Kudroli and Jodu Palli knows. With regard to Halal and Haram, he is answerable to Allah."
hey hang on Mr. George. Are you appreciating a classless goon who can illegally trespassed to an institute to show his brutality. If you are an uneducated illiterate coward man I have no issues, but I don't think so, you must be well educated civilized white collared man. My advise is to you, always try to stand with the truth, bcoz the truth will prevail. if the victim has done something wrong, what is your role if you are a neighbor? just to advise them in a peaceful manner, he repeats just give a complaint at the nearest police station, that's all. Who is this Kishore, is he appointed by the government or the local body to punish for those who creates nuisance in that place. Hey guyz stand up as a team irrespective of any religion and raise your voice, if required raise your muscles against such nasty criminals and smack them down. don't let anyone to destroy your community in the name of religion or politics. Bring peace & prosper with your neighbors, live lively and peacefully.
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, One word may Allah give you good sense and take away the hasad you have in you towards people. My advice to you is good deep and check the facts and also the number of good deeds him and his extended family members have done to our community. Allah is watching and he is the one to decide on being wrong or right. Gain respect not demand respect. Thank Arakul Riyadh for your advice and Allah will reward the one who does good deeds be it us, him or anyone else.
Mr. Ibrahim Hussain, Udupi and Mr. Mohammad Mangalore. Please for Allah's sake donot quarrel each other. We are Muslim and one Umma. We should not show our behavior for other religion. This is not the place for arguing. Whatever we wrote here should give answer to Allah (SWT) at the time of resurrection. Pray ALLAH for forgive us for our unwanted behavior.
May ALLAH bless us and follow the religion with the foundation of our beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A)
Mohammad Mangalore,
I don't think you were not born during the Mangalore Riots. I dont want to elaborate the incident that may be healthy in this forum. Masood is one of the opportunist Politician ever lived in the Mangalore. His popularity is nil, he has no people support in Bunder Area. No.2 businessmen of his relatives residing in Dubai and forest Wood thieves donated large amount to the college and a Madrasa near Jodupalli just to avoid income tax. You are wrong to say two Masjid were built by Tippu sultan, except Zeenat Baksh masjid. You are in dark days in this 21st century. I think you are henchman of Masood, who has low respect in Mangalore.
However, let the readers know what Central Committee did to this incident, clarify.
Third class guys can only support this type of students in the name of religion. shame on them as they are linking with their religion ...well done kishor .we support you.
I could see statements made by some non muslim brothers is really intensive which produces wrath among different communities. I have my condolences to the victim and his family. However, I strongly disagree with the action of the accused who could barge into college premises and assault the student. I am sure the reason for this attack is not the bike nor the roaring silencer , the real motive is something else. When the street dog becomes mad, there is no point of taking it for medical treatment, but it must be treated the way it should be treated. Hope the message is clear.
Ibrahim Hussain SS Udupi, Go check your history as per our knowledge Mr. Masood was married in the year 1966 and not 1965. THe riot was started by Putthan (beary) and this can be vouched by the urdu speaking persons of that locality. I will have to forgive your knowledge on when the two masjids were built in Jodupalli (it was in the time of Tippu Sultan). The two masjids were made one thanks to Mr Masood when he was the Chairman of the minority commission and the president of the mosque. For the college of Kashipattana there huge money was donated by Mr. Masood, his brother, brother in-laws and I can vouch that you are not one of them. Go to Bunder and check how many weddings of poor girls are being donated by them. Go and check the accounts of the Central committee and you will know how much money has been given to riot victims and innocent muslims be it for theirvpersonal heath or marriage. I know that he has personally given money from his own pocket many a times as I reside near his house. Come to Mangalore and check what the central committee has done and not stay in Udupi and comment. May Allah give you good sense.
Mohammed Mangalore,
I know Masood's old story. 1965/66 first Mangalore Hindu- Muslim riot was perpetrated by Masood family and entire community sufferred, and he is man behind the whole incident. Central committee is only doing the job of representing the memorandum to the DC or Police commissioner that's the end of it. No follow up or solution. Kudroli Two masjids one place? As per quran and hadees all muslims brothers and equal, then why this two Masjid's in one vicinity?
Regarding Kashipatna Girls college is not a charity college, its a commercialized educational institution. Did Masood pay full amount for this school building? Or what is his contribution, you have to elaborate.
Constructive criticism are always brings some sort of solution to problems, Mr. Mohammad.
Give me one example of one instance of Ullal Riots or Kavoor/Bajpe riots, what is the contribution to the victims of the riots by Central Committee?
Mohammed SS, It clearly shows how the muslim community is divided (Hanafi and Shafi). You point one finger at someone and the other 4 will point at you. If we have to postmortem the so called MUSLIM LEADERS whom you support (we very well know which language they speak) then all their wrong doings will spill out. Do not wash your dirty linen in public.
Dear Ibrahim Hussain, don't you remember Masood's old story, what you are expecting from him
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, I can scense your jealousy in naming some politicians name when you do not know what good Mr. Masood has done to his community. Come to Jodupalli,Kudroli, Bunder etc and see. The Central committee is doing a good job and people like you are always there to point fingers at someone or the other. If you think you can do a difference stand for elections or let us know what good you do to out community. It is easy to write negative comment but to write a good one you need to be good at heart. By the way ask the Kazi of Mangalore what Mr. Masood has done and is doing for the community. go visit Kashipattana where a girls college is coming up go to Kudroli and visit the old age home for women. Come out of your dreams bro. Grow up and learn to appreciate.
The main mistake here is from parents. They should not provide either Motor Bike or Mobile to student. Let them start earning in their own, then let them buy Motor Bike, Car or Mobile or whatever they need.
Here one mistake made by home guard by handling law and order by himself by hitting him. It should not happen in future. There should be severe enquiry needed for both the party to find out the culprit behind this.
May Allah (swt) protect our all muslim Ummthis from bad and prohibited things.
Do home guards can handle law and order situation and arrest any one? They are third rate guards as Mr. Kishor. This matter have to be investigated and stripped out from the Home guard role.
Why only Muslim Students are vulnerable to arrest these days. Recently a Muslim student was tortured by the Police allegedly, having contact with the missing Girls were found in Kerala state.
Why muslim Central Committee led by former politician Masood is silent?
look at him. slept like a buffalo, he deserves more punishment, if some strange person is coming and beating a strange one?, readers must feel the pain behind that, making loud sound on the public road rash idriving is not a culture of civilized person
police must investigate the matter if any evidence of rash driving both must be punished kishor for taking law in hand and student for rash driving on public road.
who is he to beat the student, if they are doing rash driving let police take the action, he is targeting student because they are muslims, so intolerance. must take action against him in future there is no wonder if he enters the college and shoot students.
Good Work by kishor, this rash riders are not only killing themselves but also killing innocents.
i too heard silencer loud sound, all the way irritating pedestrians, its not about hindu or muslim, better to warn their parents before taking charges on them otherwise media will carry this headline mentioning the religion's name, each and every one should be punished.
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