US panel views on minorities based on lack of understanding of India: Government

 India on Thursday dismissed allegations made during a US Congressional Commission briefing that "violence" against minorities was taking place after the advent of the Modi government, saying it was based on lack of understanding of India, its Constitution and society.

"We have seen media reports about a briefing by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Committee (TLHRC) on 'Violence against Religious Minorities in India'. We regard such efforts as based on lack of understanding of India, its Constitution and society," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup said. "It is well known that the Constitution of India guarantees equal religious, social and political rights to all its citizens, including minorities," the Spokesperson said.

The reaction came after an American lawmaker and a panel of four experts had yesterday decried alleged "violence" against religious minorities in India and appealed to the US administration to include human rights violations as an issue for discussion in its talks with the new Indian government.

"Ever since the BJP has come at the helm of affairs, with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, Hindutva forces are becoming more and more vocal with assertive notion of their strength," alleged Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, a retired professor of history from Punjab University. He was speaking at the briefing on 'violence against Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities in India'.