Daily Current Affairs : 4-October-2024
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has currently expressed extreme concerns about the deteriorating state of religious freedom in India. In its 2024 report, the commission highlighted several key issues, focusing particularly on the lead-up to India’s national elections, legal changes, and other factors that have led to a decline in religious rights and freedoms.
Key Issues Raised by USCIRF
The USCIRF’s report emphasizes the following areas in which religious freedom is being threatened in India:
National Elections and Religious Freedom
The report pointed out that the run-up to the 2024 national elections in India has been marked by growing religious intolerance. USCIRF stated that political campaigns sometimes fuel religious divisions, undermining efforts for peaceful coexistence.
Legal Changes Impacting Religious Minorities
Several new laws and legal changes in India were also flagged by USCIRF:
- Anti-Conversion Laws: These laws, introduced in various states, criminalize forced conversions, but critics argue that they disproportionately target religious minorities, especially Christians and Muslims, and limit religious freedom.
- Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA): This law provides citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, which has sparked controversy for its exclusion of Muslims, raising concerns about religious discrimination.
- Uniform Civil Code (UCC): The proposed UCC seeks to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of laws for all citizens. While some see this as a step toward gender equality, others fear it could undermine religious practices.
Expropriation of Religious Sites
The report also noted incidents where places of worship belonging to religious minorities had been expropriated or destroyed, further worsening tensions between different religious groups in India.
Misuse of Anti-Cow Slaughter Laws
Another issue highlighted was the misuse of anti-cow slaughter laws, which, in some states, have led to violence and harassment of Muslims and Dalits. These laws are seen as contributing to an atmosphere of religious hostility and fear.
About USCIRF
The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission established in 1998 under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). The commission has several key functions:
- Reviewing Religious Freedom Violations: It monitors violations of religious freedom around the world.
- Providing Policy Recommendations: It advises the U.S. President, Secretary of State, and Congress on actions to improve global religious freedom.
- Publishing Annual Reports: It releases detailed reports on religious freedom conditions in various countries and offers policy recommendations.
The commission consists of nine commissioners who are appointed by the U.S. President or Congressional leaders, with support from non-partisan staff. The USCIRF’s main objective is to uphold international human rights standards and advocate for religious freedom worldwide.
Important Points:
USCIRF’s Concerns: The USCIRF raised alarm about deteriorating religious freedom in India, highlighting issues surrounding the 2024 national elections and recent legal changes.
National Elections: USCIRF noted growing religious intolerance during the lead-up to India’s 2024 elections, with political campaigns exacerbating religious divisions.
Anti-Conversion Laws: Various state-level laws criminalize forced conversions but are seen as disproportionately targeting religious minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims.
Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA): The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, but its exclusion of Muslims has sparked concerns of religious discrimination.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC): The proposed UCC aims to create a common set of laws for all citizens, but critics fear it may undermine religious practices and personal laws.
Expropriation of Religious Sites: The report highlighted incidents of places of worship belonging to religious minorities being expropriated or destroyed, exacerbating tensions.
Misuse of Anti-Cow Slaughter Laws: Anti-cow slaughter laws are being misused, leading to violence and harassment, particularly against Muslims and Dalits, contributing to religious hostility.
About USCIRF: The USCIRF is an independent U.S. government commission that monitors religious freedom violations globally and provides policy recommendations to U.S. leaders.
Why In News
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently released a report flagging concerns over the “collapsing religious freedom” conditions in India, highlighting the rising intolerance and legal measures that are disproportionately affecting religious minorities. The report calls for urgent attention to these issues, warning that the situation could worsen without international intervention.
MCQs about Religious Freedom in India
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What is the primary concern raised by the USCIRF in its 2024 report regarding India?
A. Economic inequality
B. Collapsing religious freedom
C. Environmental issues
D. Lack of political stability
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Which law introduced in India is criticized for excluding Muslims from the benefits of citizenship?
A. Anti-Conversion Law
B. Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)
C. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
D. Anti-Cow Slaughter Law
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What legal measure has been introduced in various Indian states to target forced religious conversions?
A. Anti-Cow Slaughter Law
B. Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)
C. Anti-Conversion Laws
D. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
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What role does the USCIRF play in relation to religious freedom issues globally?
A. It enforces international laws on religious freedom
B. It conducts religious freedom violations investigations in countries
C. It provides policy recommendations to the U.S. President and Congress
D. It oversees religious activities within the U.S.
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