02/08/2020 India (International Christian Concern) – Recently, the U.S. State Department expressed concern over the deterioration of religious freedom in India. According to the Business Standard, a senior State Department official specifically highlighted India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an issue of concern.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior State Department official told the Business Standard, “We are concerned about what’s taking place in India. I have met with the Indian foreign minister. I’ve met with the Indian ambassador (to express my concern).”
“The U.S. has also expressed desire first to try to help and work through some of these issues,” the official when on to say.
In recent years, religious intolerance and religiously motivated violence has skyrocketed across India. Many blame the rise of radical Hindu nationalism, sometimes encouraged by the BJP-led government, for the increase in intolerance and violence.
In 2019 alone, the Alliance Defending Freedom India reports that it has documented at least 328 violent attacks on India’s Christian community. Will the US expression of concern be enough to start turning around this trend of violence and intolerance?
