VHPA calls on USCIRF to abandon visit to India

NEW YORK: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), on behalf of the Hindu American community had expressed disappointment at what it calls a "fishing expedition" by the US Congress-backed panel

"United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF)" to India, to investigate and gain perspective on Indian government's response to allegations of communal violence in some parts of the country. The USCIRF is set to visit India later this month.

"It is incomprehensible that of all the countries in the world, USCIRF is visiting India to examine religions freedoms," a VHPA statement said. "India, the largest functioning democracy in the world with an independent judiciary, statutorily constituted 'Human rights Commission', an independent Press and other supporting organizations would appear to be quite capable of taking care of the religious freedoms and human rights of its citizens."

Calling on the USCIRF to abandon its futile plan to visit India, the VHPA says, "This we believe will not only cause irreparable damage to the peace and amity in which 1 billion people live in India but also jeopardize the relationship between USA and India. USCIRF would appear to have no standing to judge without having any Hindu representation from amongst Hindu leaders, in its rank of commissioners.

This visit comes out appearing ill-conceived, prejudiced and with ulterior motives which in the name of religious freedom could cause a destabilizing effect to the very delicate balance and stability in that part of the world." 

The VHPA further points out that a slew of countries like China, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, etc. as per USCIRF, are at best involved in egregious violations of religious freedoms and at worst offer no religious freedoms. USCIRF's visit to India would not only be extremely unfair and unjustified.

The message this sends is not consistent with the current US administration's foreign policy of improving relationship with all the countries. The message that goes out to the world is that while US is trying to build and repair relationships with all the nations of the world, particularly Islamic world ruled by Kings and Dictators, it does not care if its relationship with a peaceful, democratic nation is jeopardized.

"We also feel that this venture of policing by USCIRF not only impinges on India's sovereignty but could also be construed as an undue interference in India's internal affairs. In these uncertain times with America at war in two countries and economic troubles at home, it would be unwise to stir the pot in a troubled neighborhood where a 'Secular Democratic India' is surrounded by Islamic states of Pakistan and Bangladesh with Taliban in their midst and Jehadi terrorism brewing unabated," the VHPA said.

The organization further points out that India not only offers freedom of religion under its constitution, but does not discriminate based on religion.

"Although it is a Hindu majority country the top executive and statutory positions in the government like Prime Ministers, President, senior ministers, etc. have been occupied by people from diverse religions, including Christianity and Islam, which is not even conceivable anywhere else in the world. Similar freedoms are not available in its neighboring countries which do not have Hindu majorities," it says.

India boasts a civilization that is more than 5000 years old. Indian people are proud of their ancient civilization, culture and philosophy. India is a nation inspired by the lofty ideal that "The entire creation is one family (In Sanskrit - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)", amongst other ideals.

From time immemorial India has sheltered the persecuted of all religions and nations of the earth. Israelites, who came to South India and took refuge when their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny were sheltered just as the remnants of the great Zoroastrian nation. Dalai Lama when persecuted by China came to India in recent times, as well.

A country with such history, civilization and size cannot be expected to be subservient to any other country. It would be in the best interest of USA to treat India at par with Britain, France, and Germany and not at the level of Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Cuba or Venezuela.

USCIRF has its commissioners appointed by the president and members of Congress. Current composition of USCIRF boasts representation from Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths. But it has no representation from amongst the 2 million Hindu Americans. There are a billion peace loving Hindus in the world.