2021 Report On International Religious Freedom:
The 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom (IRF) was released by the US Department of State.
- The document is distinct from the IRF report released by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
- USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity while the IRF is part of the US State Department. The former’s report holds a statutory obligation.
Highlights of the Report
- India has seen an increase in attacks on people (due to religious intolerance) and places of worship.
- Attacks on members of religious minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, occurred throughout the year.
- These included incidents of ‘cow vigilantism’ against non-Hindus based on allegations of cow slaughter or trade in beef.
- The India segment also highlights anti-conversion laws in the country, noting that 28 states have these laws and arrests were made under them.
- It also notes that several State governments announced plans to introduce anti-conversion laws.
- Police arrested non-Hindus for making comments in the media or on social media that were considered offensive to Hindus or Hinduism.
- There have been attacks in Jammu and Kashmir targeting and killing civilians and migrants, including Hindu migrant workers from Bihar.
- As per reports, this caused extensive fear in the Hindu and Sikh communities, leading to an exodus of migrants from the area.
- Incidents of lynching of Muslims in Tripura, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 are also mentioned.
