WASHINGTON: The US State Department’s yearly human rights evaluation found significant rights abuses in India’s Manipur state last year and attacks on minorities, journalists, and dissenting voices in the country.
Northeastern Manipur has seen fierce fighting between Kuki-Zo tribes and the majority of the Meitei population after a court order suggested extending the Kuki’s minority privileges to the Meitei. More than 200 people have been killed so far in the conflict.
The US State Department report noted that over 60,000 people were displaced between May to November in Manipur last year.
The department said in the rest of India, numerous instances occurred in which the government and its allies harassed and pressurized media outlets critical of the government.
It noted the Income Tax Department searched the BBC’s offices in early 2023 after it released a documentary criticizing Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian government at the time said the search was not vindictive.
Reporters Without Borders listed India at 161 out of 180 countries on its freedom of press index in 2023, the country’s lowest ever.
Minorities subject to discrimination in India
The US evaluation said religious minorities in India are subject to discrimination including the spread of misinformation and violence.
Modi, until June 1, denied abuse of minorities in India and said his policies aim to benefit all Indians irrespective of religious beliefs.
Human rights groups say the environment of the country has deteriorated under Modi. They said under Modi’s extremist government there is a rise in hate speech, the Muslim-majority Kashmir’s special status was revoked, and a citizenship law was introduced that the UN called fundamentally discriminatory while Muslim properties were demolished in the name of removing illegal construction.
Meanwhile, India’s main opposition Congress party has moved the Election Commission accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting Muslims in election campaign speech.
