Indian Ambassador Criticises USCIRF Over Sharjeel Imam Post
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra has criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its recent social media post regarding jailed activist Sharjeel Imam. Kwatra stated that the USCIRF has no standing to judge the constitutional rights of Indian citizens and dismissed the commission's assessments as partisan and ill-informed. The ambassador advised the body to introspect on its own prejudices rather than lecturing other nations. This response follows a series of USCIRF posts concerning other Indian figures, including Jyoti Jagtap and Arun Pannalal. The USCIRF is a bipartisan entity created by the US Congress, though its commissioners are appointed by the US President and congressional leaders.
Why it matters
The exchange reflects ongoing diplomatic friction between India and the US-based commission, which has previously recommended that India be designated a country of particular concern regarding religious freedom.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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