Freedom House downgraded India’s freedom status
Freedom House is a leading think tank based in Washington, D.C. and monitors global changes in freedom at the country level in its annual Freedom in the World report. It recently downgraded India’s freedom status from “Free” to “Partly Free.” The decision came as a result of India’s deteriorating human rights record.
The new report is welcomed by observers like International Christian Concern (ICC), who have seen religious minorities in India face growing levels of persecution.
“At International Christian Concern, we welcome Freedom House’s downgrade of India to only “Partly Free” as reflective of the overwhelming evidence indicating that India is moving toward a less free society. Christians and other religious minorities are facing increasing difficulty and discrimination because of their faith. India needs reform and must work to ensure freedom and liberty for all its religious minorities,” Matias Perttula, Director of Advocacy at ICC, explains.
Since Prime Minister Modi and his BJP political allies took power in 2014, persecution against Christians has risen significantly. Other religious minorities continue to face increasing persecution as well, as Modi’s Hindu nationalist Hindutva agenda is being implemented across the country. Targeted attacks and social boycotts of Christians and other minority faiths is common.
Source: persecution.org
