New Delhi: The annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom for 2026 sparked outrage in India after the report targeted sanctions on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Research and Analysis Wing for violations of religious freedom. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the annual report on Monday and took a jibe at the United States Commission.

Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson, stated that the commission has relied on ideological narratives over objective data in showing a selective picture of India.

“We have taken note of the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India.

Jaiswal also said that USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India for several years, as they just rely on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts.

He also took a dig at USCIRF by pointing out the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States. Jaiswal highlighted that the growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the US is a matter that merits serious attention.

All the harsh words from the MEA came after USCIRF termed India a country of particular concern and asked the US to link arms sales and trade policies to religious freedom.

USCIRF reported that Systematic Religious Persecution in India gives a brief overview of India’s social, political, and criminal justice systems, as all are related to issues regarding freedom of religion or belief.

“It also examines the relationship between Hindu nationalist groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), and the implications of this dynamic for FoRB,” the report read.

USCIRF also pointed out that religious freedom in India has continued to deteriorate and accused the Indian government of targeting minorities.