New Delhi: The Union government has criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it biased and lacking credibility.
The commission, known as USCIRF, is headed by Asif Mahmood, a person of Pakistani origin, according to the report. It said he has repeatedly issued statements alleging that religious minorities face persecution in India, and has now released a similar report again.
The latest report was issued ahead of an upcoming visit to the United States by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the report noted.
Responding to questions in Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it is widely known that USCIRF is biased and has, for years, circulated misleading and inflammatory views about India.
He added that India should keep its distance from the body, alleging it advances its own agenda, and said the commission does not deserve attention as it has no credibility.
