The US Commission on Inquiry (USCIRF) recommended sanctions against the RSS and RAW in a report sent to the Trump administration. The Ministry of External Affairs accused USCIRF of making false statements against India.
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on the report of the US Commission.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday (March 16, 2026) rejected the 2026 annual report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The report recommended banning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for religious freedom violations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiwal said the US commission relied on questionable sources and ideological narratives to portray India in its own light, rather than relying on the truth.
The Ministry of External Affairs reprimanded USCIRF.
The State Department spokesperson said, "We have reviewed the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We reject it for presenting a biased picture of India. For several years, USCIRF has relied on questionable sources and ideological narratives to present its own narrative about India. By repeatedly making false statements like this, the Commission undermines its own credibility."
Randhir Jaiswal said that instead of criticizing India, USCIRF should focus on incidents of vandalism against Hindu temples in the United States. The State Department spokesperson added that the growing intolerance and threats against the Indian diaspora in the United States should be considered.
RSS should be banned: USCIRF
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) stated that India's RSS and Research and Analysis Wing should be banned. In its recommendation to the Trump administration, USCIRF called for targeted sanctions against the RSS and RAW, as well as a ban on arms sales to India on the grounds of harassment of US citizens. The report also called for future military and trade relations between India and the United States to be linked to religious freedom.
USCIRF also alleged that religious freedom conditions in India continued to deteriorate and accused the Indian government of targeting religious minorities and places of worship. The report said, "Several states attempted to implement or strengthen anti-conversion laws, including harsh prison sentences. Indian authorities also encouraged the detention and illegal expulsion of citizens and religious refugees and tolerated violent attacks against religious minority communities."
