USCIRF Criticizes India, Calls for Sanctions Against RSS and RAW

USCIRF's Annual Report Targets India

On March 17, 2026, a U.S. government advisory body, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has once again launched a significant critique against India. In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF has recommended that India be designated as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) and has called for targeted sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The report claims that both RSS and RAW are responsible for severe violations of religious freedom and suggests freezing their assets and banning their entry into the U.S. Additionally, it advises linking arms sales and trade policies to religious freedom issues.

Key Allegations in USCIRF's Report:

• The situation regarding religious freedom in India deteriorated in 2025, with the government enacting new laws targeting minorities and their places of worship.


• Describing RSS as a 'Hindu nationalist organization,' the report states that it promotes violence and discrimination against religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians.


• RAW is accused of involvement in transnational repression, including alleged attacks on Sikh activists in the U.S.


• Recommendations include designating India as a CPC, imposing sanctions, halting arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act, and passing a Transnational Repression Reporting Act in Congress.

This report marks the seventh consecutive year that USCIRF has recommended the CPC designation for India, yet the U.S. State Department has yet to implement it. Targeting RSS by name is seen as a significant shift, with various organizations, such as Hindus for Human Rights and Justice For All, labeling it a 'major shift.'

India's Strong Rebuttal – MEA Responds! The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, dismissed the report as 'motivated and biased.' He stated:

• 'We categorically reject USCIRF's report and its motivated and biased portrayal of India.'


• 'For years, USCIRF has presented a distorted and selective picture of India, based on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts.'


• 'Such repeated misrepresentation undermines the commission's credibility.'


• MEA urged the U.S. to address issues at home, such as attacks on Hindu temples, vandalism, and hate crimes, and to cease selective targeting.

Congress's Reaction: The Congress party welcomed the report, asserting that it validates their concerns against RSS, which they view as a threat to national unity.

What Lies Ahead? Pressure on the Trump administration may increase, but similar to previous years, the State Department might ignore it due to the strong India-U.S. relationship (QUAD, defense deals, etc.). USCIRF is an advisory body, and its recommendations are not binding. However, this report could introduce new tensions in India-U.S. relations.

Calls for a ban on RSS and RAW in the U.S. have emerged from USCIRF's report, sparking significant controversy, but India has firmly rebutted it, emphasizing a 'distorted image' and urging the U.S. to look at its own issues first. This exemplifies the strength of genuine diplomacy.