Explained | U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s resolution about the alleged mistreatment of minorities in India

Ilhan Omar’s resolution reiterates the points made in a report on religious freedom published by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom earlier this year.

The story so far: U.S. Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives on Tuesday condemning alleged violations of human rights and religious freedom in India, and asking the U.S. Secretary of State to designate India as a “country of particular concern.” The resolution has been co-sponsored by Congresspersons Rashida Tlaib, Juan Vargas, and Jim McGovern.

The resolution is based on the 2022 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) which said that the Indian government “escalated its promotion and enforcement of policies — including those promoting a Hindu-nationalist agenda — that negatively affect Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and other religious minorities”. The report recommended, for the third year in a row, that India should be classified as a “country of particular concern” (CPC).

India rejected the report, citing “vote bank politics in international relations.”

“It is unfortunate that vote bank politics is being practised in international relations. We would urge that assessments based on motivated inputs and biased views be avoided,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said while rejecting the findings of the report.

This is not the first time Ms. Omar has been at loggerheads with the Indian government. Earlier this year, the government of India criticised her visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying that it violated the country’s sovereignty.

A simple resolution concerns a matter of operation of either the House of Representatives or the Senate. These resolutions are not binding by law but express the collective sentiment of the House, if passed. Resolutions are not presented to the U.S. President for action.

Ms. Omar’s resolution condemns the alleged “human rights violations and violations of international religious freedom in India, including those targeting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Adivasis, and other religious and cultural minorities”.