Address attacks on Hindu temples in the U.S., MEA says

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its latest report has presented a “distorted and selective picture of India”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday (March 16, 2026). Instead of criticising India based on “ideological narratives”, the Commission should highlight incidents of vandalism targeting Hindu temples in the United States, the MEA’s official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Also Read: U.S. lawmakers express outrage over foiled plot to attack Hindu temple in Illinois

“For several years now, the USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself,” Mr. Jaiswal said after the USCIRF in its latest report called for “targeted sanctions” against India’s external intelligence agency, the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW), and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), “for their responsibility and tolerance of several violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ and entities assets and barring their entry into the United States”.

The USCIRF’s report further said that bilateral trade policies with India should be linked to “improvements in religious freedoms”.

“Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States,” Mr. Jaiswal said, responding to the remarks, adding, “Growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States merit serious attention.”

There have been several incidents of violence against individuals belonging to the Indian community in the U.S. as well as members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. in recent years. There have also been several incidents of vandalism against Hindu temples and properties that India has urged the U.S. to address.