'Introspect on Your Own Prejudices': Indian Ambassador Slams US Religious Freedom Body Over Sharjeel Imam Post

Indias Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on Saturday criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) over its social media post describing jailed activist Sharjeel Imam as a person detained for his religious freedom advocacy. Kwatra rejected the commissions remarks, saying it had no locus standi to comment on the constitutional rights of Indian citizens and accusing it of promoting partisan narratives about the country. Responding to the commissions post on X, the Indian envoy said USCIRFs observations could not undermine Indias constitutional commitment to religious freedom and equal rights. Taking a direct swipe at the organisation, Kwatra advised it to examine its own prejudices instead of lecturing other countries.

India flourishes defying the agenda-driven partisan narratives of the USCIRF. Taking the same liberty that USCIRF so readily assumes, a word of advice: introspect on your own prejudices and stop lecturing others, Kwatra wrote. The diplomatic exchange followed a post by USCIRF featuring Sharjeel Imam, whom it described as a Muslim man detained in India for his religious freedom advocacy. The commission has repeatedly expressed concerns over the detention of activists in India, including Imam and Umar Khalid, arguing that the use of anti-terrorism laws against individuals involved in protests raises questions about freedom of religion and expression.

Imam, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), came into the national spotlight during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019 and early 2020. He was arrested in January 2020 in connection with speeches delivered during the protests. Investigating agencies later accused him of involvement in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020.

He was subsequently charged in connection with FIR 592020, which relates to the alleged conspiracy behind the Delhi riots. The case involves provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other criminal laws. The allegations against Imam include involvement in unlawful activities and offences linked to the violence. The charges remain subject to judicial proceedings. India has repeatedly rejected USCIRFs assessments of religious freedom in the country, questioning the commissions credibility and accusing it of relying on selective information. Indian officials have maintained that the organisations reports do not adequately reflect the countrys constitutional framework, religious diversity and legal institutions.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has also criticised the commission on previous occasions over its comments concerning religious freedom and alleged attacks on religious institutions in India. New Delhi has consistently maintained that USCIRFs observations are biased and do not present an objective picture of the country. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government commission established by the US Congress. It monitors religious freedom conditions across the world and makes recommendations to the American government on countries where it believes religious freedom is under threat. Its assessments have frequently attracted criticism from governments that disagree with its findings.

Kwatras latest remarks reflect Indias continuing objections to USCIRFs statements on domestic legal and human rights matters. The exchange has once again brought the differences between New Delhi and the US religious freedom body into focus, particularly over the interpretation of religious freedom, the treatment of activists and the role of international organisations in commenting on Indias internal affairs.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.