The latest United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report on India stands out for its deeply biased and one-sided representation of Hindu society and issues.
Titled “Systematic Religious Persecution in India,” the November 2025 issue update reads less as an objective assessment and more as a politically motivated dossier that ignores the foundational wounds of the Hindu community to paint a picture of unidirectional persecution.
A Telling Typo: “Barbi” Masjid And Historical Erasure
The report’s lack of rigor is immediately exposed by a fundamental error: it misspells the Babri Masjid as the “Barbi Masjid.” This is not a mere typographical slip but a symptom of a superficial understanding that undermines the report’s credibility from the outset.
More egregiously, the document dedicates extensive space to the 1992 demolition of the mosque, describing it as a “16th-century mosque” and detailing the subsequent violence. However, it completely erases the reason for the centuries-long dispute. There is not a single acknowledgment of the widely held Hindu belief, backed by archaeological evidence and historical texts, that the mosque was constructed by the Mughal commander Babur in the 16th century after demolishing a pre-existing temple marking the birthplace of Lord Rama.
The report’s coverage of the Babri Masjid demolition amplifies only one side of communal conflict, laying blame exclusively at the feet of Hindu organizations. What’s blatantly missing is any recognition of historic injustices faced by Hindus, whether it is the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, systematic deprivations in education, or violence against temples and festivals. Such selective storytelling undermines the credibility of the entire document.
Pathologizing Hindu Identity
At the heart of the USCIRF’s critique lies a tendency to demonize Hindu identity and aspirations. The report frames legitimate concerns such as the reclamation of temple spaces, prevention of forced conversions, and protection of indigenous cultural practices as inherently “extremist.” It conveniently ignores centuries of historical trauma, destruction of sacred spaces, and attempts at preserving a threatened civilization. By labeling movements for Hindu renaissance as exclusionary, the report erases the community’s right to pursue justice and self-respect.
One-Sided Critique of Secularism
According to USCIRF, India’s secularism fails because it does not strictly separate religion from the state. Yet, in practice, minorities receive extensive state support, whether through scholarships, separate educational boards, or official control of land and funds for religious institutions. Such privileges and protections for non-Hindu groups are never acknowledged, revealing the asymmetry in the report’s analysis.
Misrepresentation of Anti-Conversion Laws
India’s anti-conversion laws, vilified by the report, are the result of decades of aggressive, often coercive proselytization targeting vulnerable Hindu communities. Ignoring the ethical dilemma posed by incentivized conversions, USCIRF instead recasts genuine protective measures as persecution, missing the entire context behind these laws.
Textbook History Reforms Distorted
Efforts to revise school curricula to reflect a more balanced history are dismissed as communal, despite the fact that many textbooks marginalize indigenous figures and distort civilizational contributions. The report thus stifles the legitimate desire of Hindus to reclaim their narrative from decades of exclusion.
Stereotyping Hindu Organizations
The broad-brush characterization of the RSS and BJP as inherently violent and intolerant flies in the face of their vast charitable and social work, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief. Demonizing organizations that millions of Hindus consider essential to nation-building reveals either ignorance or a deliberate intent to malign.
Neglect of Demographic and Security Concerns
Measures like the CAA/NRC are targeted as exclusionary tactics in the report. From a Hindu perspective, these laws represent efforts to secure cultural survival and deal with illegal demographic changes, not vague xenophobic impulses.
Underplaying Reform and Social Progress
References to caste-based conversions mischaracterize the problems and ignore vigorous ongoing reforms in temple access, reservation policies, and community outreach that are advancing Hindu social justice – initiatives rarely recognized by the report.
Denial of Hindu Victimhood
Perhaps most disturbing is the persistent framing of Hindus exclusively as aggressors, not as victims of violence, discrimination, or targeted policies. This erasure perpetuates a narrative that dehumanizes the majority, making it harder for real dialogue or reconciliation.
External Recommendations, Internal Harm
Calling for the US to designate India a “Country of Particular Concern,” the USCIRF perpetuates neo-colonial intervention and disregards India’s sovereignty and unique context. Such recommendations only fuel division and undermine confidence in international institutions.
USCIRF’s Dubious Credibility And Extremist Alignments
Adding to its long record of bias, USCIRF’s credibility is further undermined by revelations about its own leadership. Several commissioners have been linked to hardline Christian-supremacist groups, while others maintain associations with Islamic organizations accused of supporting extremist agendas. The Commission has even positioned itself as a defender of Khalistani separatists, issuing statements that effectively endorse the rhetoric of individuals tied to terror networks. In its reaction to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, USCIRF went so far as to accuse India of “transnational repression,” echoing separatist propaganda rather than presenting evidence-based analysis. These ideological entanglements expose USCIRF as a politically motivated body wielding the language of “religious freedom” to target India while shielding extremist elements it finds ideologically convenient.
Last Word
The USCIRF’s report is a glaring example of shoddy scholarship marred by deep-rooted bias. Its selective use of facts, refusal to engage Hindu perspectives, and over-reliance on politicized NGOs reveal an intent to pressurize rather than empower. For any credible international body, accuracy, balance, and context must come first. The Hindu community and the wider world deserve better than this – an honest, fact-based discussion about pluralism, justice, and human rights in India.
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