A powerful voice from India’s foreign service has erupted in condemnation of the USCIRF’s annual report, labeling it a farce riddled with bias. Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, led the charge in a candid interview, echoing sentiments from over 275 retired judges, officials, and military leaders who jointly rejected the findings.
‘Completely baseless and lopsided,’ Sikri told IANS, aligning with New Delhi’s firm rebuttal. She defended key Indian organizations against what she called illogical attacks. ‘RSS isn’t just any group; it’s an NGO with a proven track record in social service,’ she explained.
During the pandemic’s darkest hours, RSS volunteers and Sikh gurdwaras stepped up, feeding and aiding thousands of migrants on grueling journeys. ‘This was organized relief at its finest,’ Sikri emphasized.
Sikri accused USCIRF of hypocrisy: ‘They preach to others while blind to US domestic issues.’ India’s institutions—judiciary, executive, legislature—stand vigilant for minorities, she affirmed.
Welfare initiatives from Ujjwala gas connections to Jan Dhan bank accounts place minorities first. ‘Zero complaints of discrimination in rollout,’ she challenged, probing the report’s dubious data.
On issues like CAA, Sikri trusted the courts to protect rights across the board. ‘Fake narratives built on isolated quotes crumble under scrutiny,’ she said. The best response? Silence. ‘Talking it up only validates them.’
Minority responses have been muted, seeing through the report’s cherry-picked facts and preconceptions. Sikri invoked RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat’s inclusive vision of Hindutva, where minorities are integral to India’s shared heritage—be they Jews, Parsis, or Muslims.
In a diverse nation like India, such reports miss the essence of unity in pluralism, Sikri concluded, advocating for outright disregard.