US trying to destabilize India during Lok Sabha polls: Russia
Russia's foreign ministry has alleged that the United States's accusations that India is violating religious freedom rights are intended to destabilize the country during the general election. The allegations by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova follow a report by a US-based organization that criticized India for alleged infringements on religious freedom. The report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also suggested that the US State Department label India as a "country of particular concern."
Accusations disrespect for India as a country: Zakharova
"Regular, unfounded accusations of the US towards New Delhi... are nothing but a reflection of the US' misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the country of India, and disrespect for India as a country and as a state," she said. "The reason for this is the intention to destabilize the domestic political situation in India in order to complicate the general election taking place in the country," Zakharova pointed out.
USCIRF report details
The USCIRF report accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of reinforcing "discriminatory" nationalist policies. Additionally, it noted that anti-conversion and cowslaughter laws, as well as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, and Citizenship (Amendment) Act, were still being enforced. According to the report, the enforcement of these rules has resulted in the arbitrary incarceration, monitoring, and targeting of religious minorities and those advocating for them.
India refutes allegations of religious freedom infringements
India's Ministry of External Affairs has strongly denied these allegations, blaming the US-based organization for attempting to interfere in India's election process and spreading false information. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal labeled the organization as biased with a political agenda, asserting that their attempts to "disrupt the world's largest democratic exercise" would not be successful. The ministry also dismissed claims regarding an Indian official's involvement in a thwarted assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
US accused India of trying to kill Sikh separatist
Weeks after Canada accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, the US also accused an Indian government official of conspiring to kill Pannun. According to US prosecutors, Gupta was following orders from an alleged Indian government official. They said that Gupta allegedly told an undercover law enforcement agent masquerading as a hitman that Nijjar was one of his targets. "We have so many targets," Gupta allegedly said.
