In a rare direct rebuke of India, top US diplomat Antony Blinken says America is seeing a concerning rise in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities.
The report cited examples of attacks against Muslims based on allegations that Muslim men were participating in the slaughter of cows or beef trading. / Photo: Reuters Archive
The report on international religious freedom released on Wednesday said that in 2023, senior US officials continued to"raise concerns about religious freedom issues" with their Indian counterparts. "In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities," US Secretary of State Antony BlinkenCriticism of India by the US is usually restrained due to close economic ties and New Delhi's importance for Washington to counter China, political analysts say.
The State Department report also cited violence in the northeastern state of Manipur that started in May last year between minority, mostly Christian, Kuki and majority, mostly Hindu, Meitei ethnic groups.Citing a local tribal leaders' forum, the report said over 250 churches were burnt down, more than 200 people were killed, and over 60,000 were displaced.
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