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.
Mr Kodichal's in a press meet last week had strongly supported Muslim Personal Law and stated that polygamy is far better than prostitution.
Comments
whoever want to oppose muslim talaq system or polygamy matter in please learn about it then come to talk about it.........
@ #13 Naren Kotian Singapore.
Naren please join our Sister Jashodaben Fans Group,We will make you the President of our Fans Club.If possible we will expand our fans club in Singapore also.
Xavier Mamu,
Cool down, Don't be frustrated. Chaddi brothers will never come to your support when you are in trouble. Relax. Dont forget the Church Attack.
Mr Ibrahim is right, Allah's command is final, no one can change
if you do also it will be fail....
ISLAM is peace religion, never said do not feed non muslims and anti social activities... Always says respect them and their priest
Islam says see the neighbor's hunger and feed them.
DO GOOD WORK FOR SOCIETY and MAKE FAIL TO ALL HATE MONGERS.
Who the hell all these muslim hate mongers tom dicky harry to shed crocodile tears when muslim women muslim community have no objection with the issue. I doubt the husbands of those sharing dias have single relationship. They might have one by legal. But God knows howmany have made back door exit entry . We all knew how the aids spread and who are responsible for it. Haati ke daant khaane ke aur dikhane ke aur. This is bitter truth. Let them look into the referendum in their own community instead tarnish the image of islam and muslim community. They have raise the issues like casteism, untouchability , abortion, devadasi system, alcohol, prostituion, dance bars, fast track hearings for murders and rapists.
Alhamdulillah muslims are proud to be muslim. Islam is the way of life evidencing people embaracing it across the world after practicing different religion majority among are women. Subahanallah. This shows how the hate mongers are hatching the conspiracy against the peace religion. Inspite the efforts Islam will stan firm . More they try malign larger will benefit islam. Tareeq gawah hai.
Dear Ms. Bhat,
In Islam polygamy only allowed to those person who has the capacity to look after with justice. Of course, women are not a use & throw item. Do not under estimate polygamy. It can solve lot of social problems. If you think that marry more than one is just for satisfaction purpose, then do you have any answer about Lord Krishna, who has married 16,000 women?
Look at the frustration ..muah...chummah gang completely in disarray ...hahaha...jashoda Ben fans Anthe .. This community took women as property and they were raping women under the strict rules...this is the main reason 60% prostitutes in kamati puram are from -----community. Ree faizhal Bhai elree idira ....burqa togondra. . I mean for protest rally ge.....rikacha nu seriskondu bidi ....swalpa straight and balukuva made irli ...yaake Andre burqa haaki kondirodu gandu antha gottagbaardu ...haha ...chennagi practice maadri ...
uncultured cong leader
Xavier Uncle. (Im sure he is not a Christian).
Jaun Zale. Dont comment just for the sake of Commenting.Rather Shut your Mouth.
Dear Aunties,
First tell Our Honerable Modi ji,To take care of his Own Wife our beloved sister Jashodaben. please tell him to give her the identity.So that she can spend rest of her life peacefully.
Abu Muhammad #6 CALM DOWN...
People are Ignorant of the REALiTY without making their research they come out and make bow bow by BLINDLY following their Evil Stupid thinking Leaders who also trap the IGNORANTS who want to live a life of UnAware of the consequences with the CREATOR...
Ms. Bhat, I advise you to marry first, change your status from single to marital, try to become a mother to someone and enhance your family tree. with regards to your queries or objection whatsoever, I strongly recommend you to read Chapter Talaq in holy Quran just once in your life time, do a qualitative study, then come to the public (I'm sure then you don't need to come) give your statement.
Sulochana Bhat, first look into your house - in your Brahmin community when husband dies, the widow is shaven, locked in the house and called MUNDE BIRANDI. Women in her period is kept out of the house like dirty dogs, you like your sister to be prostitutes than being a second wife enjoying all rights, freedom, respect and legal status. Your Lord Rama's father practiced polygamy, Pandavas practiced it, Your Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives officially wholesale polygamy ever recorded, Look into your various scriptures for further details and who practiced polygamy. Hindu kings had scores of official and un-official wives. For Polygamy and Divorce is the blessing from God Almighty. See the condition of your leader's wife - she has been suffering like hell in this world, neither divorced nor recognised as wife - Treated like worse than animal. This is the honour you and your Jumla party giving to the woman as your scripture says - NA STREE SWATANTRYA MARHATI.
Why public interested in personal or religious matter? Is anyone getting harm with these?
Dear sisters, very rarely you will find polygamy system followers in Islam. If they do it is their personal matter and better than prostitution. If any poor lady or someone getting respectful life what is wrong with it. Also remember, they should treat them equally so there is no questions about cheating or insulting.
The women in Pictures... and also those who want to increase their intellect...
Please watch this below video in YT
\Ahmed Deedats Amazing answers to 2 questions\""
Yes, polygamy is better than prostitution. Those who do not know the meaning of verses from Quran try to learn the meaning in your mother tongue then only you will be convinced what is and why polygamy.
dear hindu sisters the moment you know about the rights islam has given to women you will no longer remain to be non muslim, A true muslim, and most majority of muslim men dont treat women as objects it is the non islam religions which are treating women as sex objects, i think for these above ladies prostitution is justified if their husbands do , what a shame and they forget that prostitution with whom they are doing is a daughter, or wife or mother of someone., is it ok for them if someone do the same with their daughter or wife or mother.
ISLAM IS THE RELIGION WHICH IS THE TRUE AND THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE. AND ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND THE CHERISHER OF THE UNIVERSE ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY.
BJP is concerned about woman....why they are not concerned about Modi's wife....she has been longing for joining him....why women's right group helping her....and not talking about it.......scared....hypocrites...
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