'Don't bring vote bank politics in International relations': MEA hits out at US after they report minorities attacked in India
US published a report on International Religious Freedom.
Hours after US published a report on International Religious Freedom where they claimed attacks on minorities in India continued throughout 2021, India accused the US of 'vote bank politics in international relations'.
“We have noted the release of the US State Department 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, and ill-informed comments by senior US officials. It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
Bagchi further said that India, as a “naturally pluralistic society” values religious freedom and human rights.
“In our discussions with the US, we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, the report released by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department alleged that in India in 2021 attacks on members of the minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, occurred throughout the year.
“Attacks on members of religious minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, occurred throughout the year. These included incidents of ‘cow vigilantism’ against non-Hindus based on allegations of cow slaughter or trade in beef,” the India section of the report mentioned.
The report also took note of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that Hindus and Muslims in India had the same DNA and should not be differentiated by religion.
It also mentioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remark in which he had said that “earlier governments in Uttar Pradesh had favoured Muslim constituents in benefits distribution.”
India previously rejected the US religious freedom report, saying it sees no locus standi for a foreign government to pronounce on the state of its citizens’ constitutionally protected rights.