Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Bhatia said he spoke with a ‘heavy heart’ about the post, which invokes calls for US President to ban RSS activities, seize assets, and bar its members from entry. It also recalls Patel’s post-Gandhi assassination ban in 1948, framing RSS as a persistent threat.

‘From preaching love, Gandhi now sells anti-India narratives,’ Bhatia quipped, accusing Congress’s social media of a deliberate smear campaign. He highlighted the report’s push for targeted restrictions on RAW, India’s external intelligence arm, warning that such stances align opposition with Pakistan’s interests.

Gandhi’s track record came under fire too—his interactions with critics like Ilhan Omar were cited as evidence of questionable alliances. The broader USCIRF document paints a grim picture of religious freedoms in India, noting rising discrimination against minorities and legislative moves like CAA as flashpoints.

This episode reveals fault lines in Indian politics, where international critiques become weapons in partisan fights. BJP vows to counter what it sees as foreign meddling amplified by rivals, while Congress likely views it as holding power accountable. The saga promises to echo through election cycles, shaping public discourse on nationalism and rights.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to queries, said the report’s assertions about India are ‘completely biased and driven by preconceptions.’ He pointed out USCIRF’s pattern over multiple years of misrepresenting facts through cherry-picked data and ideological leanings.

‘India thrives as a dynamic, multi-faith society where communities coexist peacefully,’ Jaiswal noted. He criticized the commission for fostering doubts about the nation, which he described as more reflective of an agenda than authentic worry.

Turning the tables, Jaiswal advised USCIRF to prioritize domestic issues like the surge in vandalism against Hindu temples in America, coupled with harassment of Indian-origin individuals. ‘These are grave matters that require immediate and thorough examination,’ he asserted.

India has consistently objected to USCIRF’s methodologies in the past, accusing it of political maneuvering. With a population of 1.4 billion embracing global religions, the country prides itself on inter-community harmony—a legacy the report allegedly seeks to undermine.

This latest clash highlights broader diplomatic frictions. As New Delhi defends its record, it challenges Washington-based watchdogs to apply consistent standards. The ministry affirmed that attempts to blemish India’s global standing through flawed reports will not succeed.