Indian-American Muslims welcome International Religious Freedom recommendations on India

Washington: An Indian-American Muslim advocacy group on Friday welcomed recommendations of US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on India and asked the State Department to take cognizance of the report when issuing its own report on religious freedom globally.

In a statement, the Indian-American Muslim Council urged the US to act on USCIRF's multiple recommendations including religious freedom concerns in bilateral talks with India.

Of particular significance is the fact that the USCIRF report again places India on the Tier 2 list of countries where religious freedom is at risk.

India has been on this list every year since 2009, it said.

The Chapter on India in the report documents violence as well as the sharp increase in hate campaigns against religious minorities, including Christians, Muslims and Sikhs, the statement said.