India on Sunday rejected a US State Department religious freedom report, that stated mob attacks against the minority communities continued in India throughout the year. Reacting to the report, the External affairs ministry said, it sees no locus standi for a foreign government to pronounce on the state of its citizens’ constitutionally protected rights.
In response to a query on the latest Report on International Religious Freedom published by the United States Department of State, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “India is proud of its secular credentials, its status as the largest democracy and a pluralistic society with a longstanding commitment to tolerance and inclusion. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities. “
“It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution provides protection of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect the fundamental rights,” Kumar said.
“We see no locus standi for a foreign entity/government to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights,” Kumar added.
