India slams US State Department report alleging "significant human rights abuses"

India has responded angrily to a US State Department report that said there were “significant human rights abuses” in Manipur following the outbreak of violence in the state last year, claiming the report is incredibly prejudiced and shows a poor understanding of the nation.

Responding to a question on the report during the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing on Thursday, the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said, “This report is deeply biased and reflects a very poor understanding of India. We attach no value to it and urge you also to do the same.”

The latest release of the executive summary of the ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: India’ notes that “significant human rights abuses” took place during the ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Kuki and Meitei communities.

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Additionally, it mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged for action in the matter and referred to the situation as “shameful”.

The annual report from the State Department, which is required by the US Congress, also included details of the February 14 60-hour search of the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai. It was pointed out that this action was taken shortly after the broadcaster’s PM Modi documentary was released.

“Although tax authorities described the search as motivated by irregularities in the BBC’s tax payments and ownership structure, officials also searched and seized equipment from journalists who were not involved in the organisation’s financial processes,” the report said.

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The report also brought up Rahul Gandhi’s conviction and punishment in a case involving the slander of the Modi surname, which resulted in his expulsion from the Lok Sabha. Gandhi’s conviction was delayed by the Supreme Court, which led to his eventual reinstatement.

The report also highlighted some encouraging trends, pointing out that in July of last year, the government allowed a march in Srinagar, enabling Shias to commemorate Muharram.

“This procession represented the first government-sanctioned recognition of the event in Srinagar since it was banned in 1989. The government imposed some restrictions on the use of slogans or the display of logos of any banned organisations,” it said.