Only tolerant India can face world

The Narendra Modi government’s decision to deny visas to members of a United States government panel that monitors religious rights worldwide shows India in a poor light. This is not the way a country that takes pride in its vibrant democracy and openness should be responding to visa applications of foreigners, even those who may be arrogating themselves the role of guardians of faiths, religious freedom etc. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a US Congress-mandated panel that scrutinises religious freedoms worldwide and gives independent policy recommendations to the US government. Its reports on the situation in India have not been favourable in the past. Since 2009, India has been listed as a ‘tier 2 country’ i.e. where violations of religious freedom “engaged in or tolerated by the government” are serious. Its 2015 report was particularly scathing in its criticism of the Modi government for its ghar vapsi programmes, attacks on churches and hate campaigns against Muslim minorities. In 2009 too, the government denied visas to USCIRF panel members, which means that the United Progressive Alliance and National Democratic Alliance governments adopted a similar policy towards the USCIRF’s work.

India’s denial of visas to USCIRF panel members is a defensive response. It sends out a signal that we have much to hide. A pluralist country with a secular constitution that promises its citizens, irrespective of their faiths, equality before the law should not have to be timid before the world. That we are defensive on the issue indicates that all is not well on the ground. This is a matter of serious concern. Many secular Indians are calling on the government to protect robustly the right to freedom of religion of all citizens. Sadly, successive governments have failed to do so, resulting in a situation where foreign organisations and individuals, many of whom have little understanding of India’s constitution or culture are now pointing fingers at us and offering gratuitous advice.

The Modi government must act to protect citizens from religious intolerance and violence, not because the USCIRF says so but because the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It should allow the USCIRF and others to visit this country so that these ‘watchdogs’ can learn a lesson or two from India’s history of providing a safe home to people fleeing religious persecution in other countries. But such lessons will be credible and valuable only if India’s present record on the rights of religious minorities is exemplary. A tolerant India could face the world with confidence.