Indian State Blocks Internet And Text Messaging For 27 Million Residents—Here’s Why
ForbesDec 24, 2022
The Facts
The independent US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has, for the fourth year in a row, requested the State Department designate India as a "country of particular concern" regarding its treatment of religious minorities.
The USCIRF argued that the conditions for religious freedom in India "continued to worsen" last year and that "the Indian government at the national, state, and local levels promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies...which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Adivasis [indigenous peoples]".
The Spin
Narrative A
Modi’s government and his vigilante supporters continue to assault religious minorities, both legally and physically, and the USCIRF has been spot-on each year it has revealed these atrocities to the US government and the world. Now it’s up to Biden to respond to these cries for justice with diplomatic action to align US policies with the human rights norms of the international community.
Narrative B
Since its inception in 1998, the USCIRF has been corrupt and held a staunchly anti-India stance. While India has been bending over backward to welcome Muslim immigrants, this commission is maligning Modi and his party and lending support to Pakistan. Biden would be wise to ignore the USCIRF recommendations.
