India has strongly dismissed a U.S. government report alleging deteriorating religious freedoms in the country, calling it a “misrepresentation” aimed at tarnishing its global reputation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded sharply to the annual report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which recommended designating India as a “country of particular concern” and imposing sanctions on its intelligence agency, R&AW.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected the USCIRF findings, stating that the report selectively highlights isolated incidents while ignoring India’s pluralistic ethos. “The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent India’s multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than genuine concern for religious freedom,” he said. “India, with its 1.4 billion people representing all major religions, thrives on harmonious coexistence. We have no expectation that USCIRF will acknowledge this reality.”

The USCIRF report, released on March 25, alleged rising discrimination and violence against religious minorities in 2024, citing hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). It also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of propagating “hateful rhetoric” against Muslims during the 2024 election campaign, referencing Modi’s past remarks labeling Muslims as “infiltrators.”

The report further recommended sanctions against R&AW over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists abroad—a claim India has repeatedly denied. The issue has strained U.S.- India relations since 2023, particularly after the U.S. charged an ex-Indian intelligence officer in a foiled assassination plot. India maintains that Sikh separatists pose security threats but denies extrajudicial actions.

Analysts note that while USCIRF’s recommendations are non-binding, the report adds to the growing scrutiny of India’s human rights record. However, Washington’s strategic focus on countering China’s influence in Asia makes punitive action unlikely.

Rights groups have flagged concerns over India’s revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy, mosque demolitions, and laws critics say marginalize Muslims. The Modi government denies discrimination, pointing to welfare schemes benefiting all communities.

The USCIRF also criticized Vietnam for tightening control over religious groups, recommending similar “country of particular concern” status. Vietnam’s new decree allows authorities to demand financial records from religious organizations and suspend activities for vaguely defined violations.

New Delhi has long dismissed USCIRF reports as “deeply biased,” asserting that India’s constitutional safeguards ensure equality for all faiths. The MEA’s rebuttal underscores its stance that external assessments overlook ground realities of interfaith harmony.

Karni Sena activists descended on the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra on Wednesday, unleashing chaos to protest his controversial remarks about Rajput warrior Rana Sanga. The demonstration erupted into violence as the mob pelted stones, shattered windows, and wrecked vehicles outside the MP’s home. Police moved in swiftly, deploying minimal force to quell the unrest, but not before skirmishes broke out between officers and the furious protesters.

The uproar stems from a March 21 Rajya Sabha speech where Suman branded Rana Sanga, the revered Mewar ruler, a “traitor” for allegedly inviting Mughal emperor Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. “If Muslims are Babur’s descendants, then Hindus descend from the traitor Rana Sanga,” he declared, rejecting the ‘Babur ki aulad’ jibe aimed at Indian Muslims, whom he said revere Prophet Mohammed and Sufi traditions instead. The statement has enraged the Karni Sena, a right-wing group fiercely protective of Rajput heritage.

“This was a small taste,” said Karni Sena leader Mahipal Makrana. “We smashed a few chairs outside Suman’s house—nothing major yet. But this is just the beginning. We’ve been patient, but insulting our icons like Rana Sanga crosses the line. If our members face any backlash, we’ll paralyze the country with protests.” The group’s anger wasn’t limited to Agra.

On Sunday, they rallied outside the SP’s Bhopal office in Tulsi Nagar, torching an effigy of Suman. The outfit’s Madhya Pradesh wing even dangled a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who’d smear Suman’s face with ink and slap him with footwear.

SP leaders cried foul, alleging the Bhopal protesters trashed their banners and posters. “It happened at 7:15 pm, orchestrated by the BJP to expose the state’s collapse,” claimed SP spokesperson Yash Bharatiya, pointing to a video of a banner being yanked down.

However, TT Nagar police chief Sudhir Arjaria dismissed the damage claims, noting the brief demonstration warranted no arrests. With police on-site before the Bhopal crowd arrived, Bharatiya accused authorities of complicity, demanding Assembly debate. The Karni Sena’s wrath shows no sign of fading.

The central government is expected to soon consider the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, which could significantly revise salaries, pensions, and benefits for around 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. If implemented, experts suggest monthly salaries could rise by up to Rs 19,000, depending on the government’s final budget allocation and fitment factor.

What is a Pay Commission?

A Pay Commission is a government-appointed body that recommends changes in pay structures for central government employees and pensioners. Constituted approximately every 10 years, the panel reviews salaries based on inflation, economic conditions, and the cost of living.

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented in 2016, increased the minimum basic salary from ₹7,000 to Rs 18,000 and used a fitment factor of 2.57, which determines the scale of salary hikes. The revision came at a cost of Rs 1.02 lakh crore to the government.

What kind of salary hike is expected?

Although the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be formally announced, financial projections indicate a notable hike in monthly salaries:

With Rs 1.75 lakh crore allocation: Salary could rise from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1,14,600/month

With Rs 2 lakh crore allocation: Salary could go up to Rs 1,16,700/month

With Rs 2.25 lakh crore allocation: Salary might increase to Rs 1,18,800/month

These are pre-tax salary estimates for mid-level employees, and actual increases will depend on the fitment factor and final government decision.

When could it be implemented?

Although there’s no official timeline, experts anticipate that the 8th Pay Commission may be constituted in April 2025, with its recommendations likely implemented by 2026 or 2027.

Once formed, the commission will consult with employee unions and other stakeholders to finalize the pay structure. While unions are likely to demand a fitment factor of 2.57 or higher, former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has suggested a more conservative estimate of around 1.92, calling higher expectations “unrealistic” under current economic conditions.