US Religious Freedom Panel Recommends Targeted Sanctions on RSS, R&AW The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended targeted sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), citing concerns over their alleged violations of religious freedom. The report, released recently, highlights the organizations’ roles in perpetuating discrimination and undermining minority rights in India. The external affairs ministry has not issued a formal response to the latest findings, but it has previously dismissed similar reports as “biased,” emphasizing its stance that such claims lack credibility. The recommendations come amid ongoing tensions between India and the U.S. over human rights issues, including the treatment of religious minorities and the use of state intelligence agencies. While the Indian government has consistently rejected allegations of systemic discrimination, the USCIRF report argues that the RSS and R&AW have been instrumental in fostering an environment of intolerance through their influence on policy and public discourse. The panel’s findings are part of a broader U.S. effort to hold countries accountable for human rights abuses, though India has historically resisted external scrutiny of its internal affairs. The report’s release coincides with a period of heightened diplomatic activity between the two nations, including recent discussions on trade and security. However, the issue of religious freedom remains a contentious point, with the U.S. frequently raising it during bilateral talks.#rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #us_commission_on_international_religious_freedom #research_and_analysis_wing #external_affairs_ministry #us_india_relations
