MEA dismisses U.S. panel hearing on religious freedom

‘Hearing based on lack of understanding of India, its Constitution and society’

The Ministry of External Affairs has reacted strongly to a U.S. Commission on Human Rights hearing on “violence against religious minorities in India”, calling the hearing an effort “based on lack of understanding of India, its Constitution and society.”

Reacting to media reports about a briefing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights committee of the U.S. Congress, the MEA spokesperson added, “It is well known that the Constitution of India guarantees equal religious, social and political rights to all its citizens, including minorities.”

During the briefing on Wednesday, held in Washington, several activists of Indian origin were heard by three senior Congressmen — Patrick Meehan, co-chair of the ‘American Sikh Caucus’, and Reps. Joseph Pitts and Jim McGovern. John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch, also reportedly referred to the “increased restrictions on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in receiving funds from overseas.”

The Hindu has learnt that the issue of restrictions on Ford Foundation and Greenpeace International was taken up by the U.S. government again this week, when a senior U.S. diplomat met with officials of the MEA and MHA to ask for a lifting of financial strictures against the groups. Sources tell

The Hindu the request was rejected as MHA officials said the groups had been found “violating Indian financial laws”.

The MEA’s reaction to the Congressional committee briefing is the second time in the past few weeks that the government has reacted sharply to “religious freedom” proceedings in the U.S. Despite being named at hearings and in the Tom Lantos annual report in the past as well, the government used to refuse comment, calling it an “an internal process of the U.S. legislature.”