The United States’ agency that monitors international religious freedom was denied visas by India, it said on Thursday. Members of United States’ Commission on International Religious Freedom were scheduled to leave for India on Friday, for a visit planned with the support of the US embassy in India and the US State department.
USCIRF chairman Robert George in a statement said they were deeply disappointed, and that as a "pluralistic, non-sectarian, and democratic state, and a close partner of the United States, India should have the confidence to allow our visit." He added that the commission had travelled to some of the countries that are the worst religious offenders, and that they had expected India to allow for more transparency than these nations.
Reuters said the Indian embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for a comment. The commission’s 2015 report said incidents of religiously motivated and communal violence had increased in India in the last three years. It said that non-governmental organisations and religious leaders, including from the Muslim, Christian, and Sikh communities, attributed the increase in violence to religiously divisive campaigning before the Lok Sabha polls in 2014.
US law allows for sanctions to be imposed on countries “of particular concern”, but the commission’s recommendations are not binding.
Reuters reported that in 2015, the US had problems arranging visits by the head of its office to combat human trafficking and its special envoy for gay rights. A US State Department official referred queries on the visa issue to the Indian government, but added that President Barack Obama, during a visit to Delhi, made a plea for freedom of religion in the country.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!