Why is it in the news?
- The United States has expressed rare criticism towards its close partner India in a report released focusing on religious freedom.
More about the news
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and the demolition of homes and places of worship for minority faith communities in India.
- The report also expressed alarm over growing bigotry worldwide towards Jews and Muslims.
- Rashad Hussain, the US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, specifically pointed out shortcomings in efforts by Indian authorities, mentioning cases where local police reportedly supported mobs disrupting worship services and arresting victims on conversion charges.
- Despite seeking closer ties with India as a fellow democracy, the US signalled its concerns in the report, but it’s unclear if there will be any official action taken against India in the near future regarding religious freedom.
- Blinken also addressed a rise in hate crimes against Muslims and Jews in the US and identified issues in EU member Hungary related to anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric among government officials.
| Freedom of Religion in India:
In India, Articles 25-28 of the Constitution guarantee fundamental rights regarding freedom of religion. India is constitutionally secular, with no official religion. · Article 25: Ensures freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. · Article 26: Grants freedom to manage religious affairs. · Article 27: Provides freedom from compulsory taxation for promoting any religion. · Article 28: Guarantees freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions. · Additionally, Article 29 and 30 focus on safeguarding the interests of religious and linguistic minorities in India. Global Perspective: · According to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance, both publicly and privately. |
