USCIRF has brought another report targeting India for the anti-conversion laws devised by various state governments. The report states that these laws have three common features: 1. Prohibitions on conversions
2. Notice requirements
3. Burden-shifting provisions
Here in this blog, I am providing a point to point rebuttal to USCIRF.
1. Prohibitions on conversions:
Article 25 of Indian constitution gives freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. But it doesn't allow right to convert an individual through fraud, deception, coercion, allurement or other such means.
USCIRF states "India’s state-level anti-conversion laws prohibit conversions under circumstances that go beyond coercion using broad and vague language that can be used to target voluntary religious conversions" However it fails to quote any incident to support the argument.
It criticizes Section 3 of UP’s Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 which prohibits conversion by “misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.” Does USCIRF wants to promote forced conversion in India?
2. Notice requirements:
USCIRF has objected to notice requirement clause for conversion in 10 state. It must be noticed that all these states have high proportion of tribal population. Tribal groups are poor & susceptible to coercion.
Criticism of USCIRF is clearly unfounded
3. Burden-shifting provisions:
USCIRF is appalled that burden of proof lies for forced conversion lies on the accused in seven states of India. Again, these states are tribal dominated states. Forced conversion are backed by rich and powerful.
Also, many laws safeguarding interest of weaker sections of Indian society such as SC/ST etc. have similar provisions. Eg: Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Clearly, the report is written with biased mindset and clear agenda to promote forced conversion in India.
History of USCIRF:
Out of nine USCIRF commissioner, five are Christians while none is Hindu. In 25 years of existence only two out of sixty-five commissioners have been Hindu.
Fact - 1/6th of global population is Hindu And they preach us inclusivity.
USCIRF connection with IAMC:
On 28th February, 2023, a senior official of USCIRF, Stephen Schneck, while speaking at an event organized by IAMC asked the United States government to condemn the Indian government.
Also, report by @DisinfoLab has established how IAMC lobbied to put India in the list of 'country of particular concern'.
USCIRF is an anti-India, pro-conversion organisation with deep-rooted links to Pakistan & IAMC. Any and every report is nothing but a biased piece of garbage and should be treated thus-like. We rest our case.
Jai Hind !!
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