India rejects UN panel’s observations on its ‘rights violations’

India dismissed on Wednesday the findings of a United Nations panel that accused the country of rights violations against various ethnic and religious groups. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) had expressed concerns over human rights abuses faced by individuals from scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, and Rohingya refugees. The committee also demanded action against those involved in "hate crimes" within India.

Randhir Jaiswal, an official spokesperson from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated that India rejects the report's "politically motivated, highly malicious references" and emphasized the country's unwavering commitment to combating racial discrimination. He highlighted India's constitutional safeguards, robust legal framework, pluralism, and ongoing efforts to protect disadvantaged communities.

During the review process, an inter-ministerial delegation led by the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, already dismissed the panel's sweeping generalizations, unsubstantiated allegations, and tendency to exceed the Convention's mandate. The United Nations (UN) human rights panel had raised alarm about violations against marginalized communities in India, urging New Delhi to safeguard them from alleged abuse, torture, extrajudicial killings, and the stripping of citizenship.

The committee also strongly criticized the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, which led to mass arbitrary deprivation of citizenship. They expressed concerns about Bengali-speaking Muslims being categorized as "non-original inhabitants" and called for India to suspend the NRC and review its legislative framework.

The Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was also scrutinized in the report, with the committee expressing concern that Bengali-speaking Muslim voters were disproportionately impacted in West Bengal and Assam.