The US state department's 2018 International Religious Freedom Report charged the BJP government under PM Narendra Modi of violence against minorities. "Some senior leaders of the BJP made inflammatory speeches against minority communities. Mob attacks by violent extremist Hindu groups against minority communities, especially Muslims, continued throughout the year amid rumors that victims had traded or killed cows for beef," the report claimed.
ALSO READ
- ‘Stone pelting, beheading of soldiers would have continued if Cong was in power: Modi
- ‘Everyone will regret it…’: PM Modi accuses opposition of spreading lies on electoral bonds
- What the fish! Tejashwi Yadav's meal on helicopter snowballs into major political controversy
- Congress’s poll manifesto bears ‘imprint of Muslim League’, says PM Modi
- Fighting big battle against corrupt, won't be intimidated by attacks: PM Modi at Meerut rally
- Congress on PM's Katchatheevu remarks: 'Release white paper on Chinese capture in Ladakh, Arunachal'
The BJP came out swinging, calling the report "clearly biased against the party". BJP Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said, "The basic presumption in this report that there is some grand design behind anti-minority violence is simply false. On the contrary, in most of such cases, these instances are carried out as a result of local disputes and by (people with) criminal mindsets," PTI reported.
Whenever needed, PM Modi and other BJP leaders have strongly deplored violence against minorities and weaker sections of the society, he added.
"Mega schemes launched and effectively implemented by the Modi government have benefited all the castes, religions and regions equally. BJP is indeed proud of its record in uplifting living standards of all poor, underprivileged sections of the society, irrespective of their faith and gender," he said in a statement.
Responding to media queries on the report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "India is proud of its secular credentials, its status as the largest democracy and a pluralistic society with a longstanding commitment to tolerance and inclusion."
The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities, he said.
It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution provides protection of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect fundamental rights, Kumar asserted. "We see no locus standi for a foreign entity/government to pronounce on the state of our citizens' constitutionally protected rights," he said.
Releasing the report at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week said the report was like a report card which tracks countries to see how well they have respected this fundamental human right.
The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and US policies to promote religious freedom around the world.
-Inputs from PTI
