No overseas entity has any locus standi: Govt on US non secular freedom report

No overseas entity or authorities has any locus standi to touch upon the elemental rights of Indian residents, the federal government mentioned on Thursday, rejecting a report by the US state division on the alleged curtailment of non secular freedom in India. Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha on the Worldwide Non secular Freedom Report, 2021, Minister of State for Exterior Affairs V Muraleedharan mentioned it mirrored a lack of know-how of India, its constitutional framework, plurality and democratic ethos.

Days after the report was launched, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs on June 3 trashed the criticism in opposition to India and as an alternative expressed issues over racially motivated assaults, hate crimes and gun violence within the US.

In his feedback, Muraleedharan additionally mentioned that the federal government is ”absolutely dedicated” to the rights of Indian residents enshrined within the Structure and the legal guidelines.

”The feedback on India on this yr’s report replicate a lack of know-how of India and its constitutional framework, plurality and democratic ethos, and misrepresent information,” Muraleedharan mentioned. ”In any case, no overseas entity or authorities has any locus standi to pronounce on our residents’ basic rights,” he mentioned. The annual report alleged that assaults on members of the minority communities, together with killings, assaults, and intimidation, passed off all through 2021 in India.

”India is a naturally vibrant and pluralistic society, the place the Structure supplies for freedom of faith, and the place democratic governance and rule of legislation additional promote and defend basic rights,” Muraleedharan mentioned.

To a separate query, he mentioned two Afghan nationals, together with an Afghan Sikh group member, misplaced their lives within the terrorist assault on Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita Sahib Shri Gobind Singh Sahib in Kabul on June 18.

”To be able to facilitate the evacuation of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, the federal government of India has been offering e-visas since August 2021,” he mentioned.