Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has introduced a resolution that calls the U.S. Secretary of State to designate India as a country of particular concern for alleged violation of religious freedom.
Co-sponsored by Congresspersons Rashida Talib, Juan Vargas, and Jim McGovern, the resolution urges the Biden administration to implement the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom which has called for designating India as a country of particular concern for three consecutive years.
Introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the resolution has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.
The news about the resolution was first reported, in advance, by a senior official from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which also slammed a senior State Department official.
Ms. Omar’s resolution condemns alleged human rights violations and violations of international religious freedom in India, including those "targeting" Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Adivasis, and other religious and cultural minorities. It expressed grave concern about the "worsening treatment" of religious minorities in India.
India had rejected the criticism against it in the U.S. State Department report on religious freedom, saying it is unfortunate that "vote bank politics" is being practised in international relations.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said the observation on India in the report is based on "motivated inputs and biased views".
"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.
"As a naturally pluralistic society, India values religious freedom and human rights. In our discussions with the U.S., we have regularly highlighted issues of concern there, including racially and ethnically motivated attacks, hate crimes and gun violence," he said.
Earlier, India had condemned Ms. Omar’s visit to PoK, saying her travel to the region violated the country’s sovereignty and it reflected her “narrow-minded” politics.
Ms. Omar, had visited Pakistan in last April and met top Pakistani leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan. She had also travelled to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and is yet to disclose the nature, including the funding, of the visit.
"If such a politician wishes to practice her narrow-minded politics at home, that may be her business. But violating our territorial integrity and sovereignty in its pursuit makes it ours. This visit is condemnable," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said.
