Centre Slams US Report Urging Sanctions On RAW, RSS; Asks To Address 'Selective Targeting' Of Indians Instead

The central government on Monday strongly rebuked the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report for its recommendation to designate India a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations and to put targeted sanctions on the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said, "We have taken note of the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India."

He called out continued efforts by USCIRF to paint a distorted image of India, saying, "For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts."

"Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself. Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention," he added.

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USCIRF in its annual report 2026, urged the US government to designate India as a CPC for allegedly "engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations".

The US commission recommended a ban on RAW and RSS "for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom"

The report claimed that religious freedom in India continued to deteriorate in 2025, citing the introduction and strengthening of anti-conversion laws by several states, increasing prison sentences and alleged targeting of religious minorities and their places of worship.

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The report further advocated linking improvement in religious freedom to future US security assistance and trade policies with India.

Moreover, the report urged the US Congress to pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 in order to track alleged actions by the Indian government targeting religious minorities abroad.