Address attacks on Hindu temples in the U.S., MEA says

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement after the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report that highlighted concerns about religious freedom in India. The Indian government argued that the commission’s analysis selectively highlighted incidents that portray India in a negative light while ignoring the broader context of religious harmony and legal safeguards that exist in the country. The MEA emphasized that India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that the government takes any act of violence against places of worship seriously.

In recent months, several Hindu temples across the United States have reported vandalism, arson attempts, and other forms of intimidation. These incidents have drawn attention from Indian diaspora groups and prompted diplomatic outreach from New Delhi. The MEA called on the USCIRF to include these attacks in its assessment, noting that they reflect a pattern of hostility that affects the Indian community abroad. The ministry also stressed that Indian authorities are cooperating with local law enforcement in the United States to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.

The exchange underscores the sensitive nature of religious freedom discussions between the two nations. While the United States continues to monitor hate crimes and protect minority rights, India seeks to ensure that its own religious communities are not unfairly targeted in international reports. Both governments have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue to improve mutual understanding and to develop joint strategies for safeguarding places of worship worldwide.