Washington, D.C. Web Desk – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed deep concern over the increasing violence against religious minorities in India, particularly Christians and Muslims, highlighting the intensifying threats to religious freedom under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
According to the commission, attacks on Christians have surged in recent months, with priests and worshippers increasingly targeted by extremist mobs. Notable incidents include the brutal assault on a priest in Odisha, as well as the illegal detention of 12 Muslims worshipping at home in Uttar Pradesh. The USCIRF noted that allegations of forced religious conversion are frequently used as a pretext for harassment, unlawful detention, and violent assaults against minority communities.
Experts warn that the Modi government’s policies, heavily influenced by the RSS’s Hindutva ideology, have institutionalized discrimination and systematically marginalized minorities. “The state’s alignment with extremist groups has led to an environment where mobs feel emboldened to attack vulnerable populations,” the commission stated.
Reports indicate that attacks on places of worship have become increasingly common, and minority communities are facing sustained social and legal pressures. Analysts say this pattern signals a deliberate attempt to isolate religious minorities from mainstream social and political life, endangering their fundamental rights and future security.
The USCIRF has called for urgent action to safeguard India’s religious minorities, emphasizing that international attention and accountability are essential to curb escalating violence. Observers stress that without systemic reforms and strict enforcement of protections, minority groups may continue to face discrimination and targeted attacks under current governance structures.
