US NGOs ask Biden to sanction Indian officials

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 16

Over 30 US civil society organisations have issued a joint resolution urging the Biden administration to sanction India for religious persecution of non-Hindu Indians.

Issued on the closing day of the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington and initiated by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the resolution urged the US State Department to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern”, and to sanction officials and others promoting religious discrimination and open persecution of non-Hindu religions in India.

It listed specific instances and historical evidence of government-backed harassment, oppression and intimidation of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others.

“The organisations found it anachronistic that the US champions civil rights and criticises other countries for their violations but not India,” said Rasheed Ahmed of IAMC. A US Senator and two members of Congress were among those who voiced their concerns about religious discrimination and intolerance in India. “I remain seriously concerned about the Indian Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of minorities,” said US Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).