25 RETIRED JUDGES, INCLUDING FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, CRITICIZE USCIRF REPORT CALLING FOR BAN ON RSS:

A group of 25 former judges, including retired Supreme Court judges such as Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Hemant Gupta, has issued a joint statement strongly criticising a recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which recommended a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The signatories described the report as highly motivated, alleging that it suffers from serious analytical deficiencies and reflects biased conclusions. They expressed concern that the recommendations, which reportedly include measures such as freezing assets and restricting the movement of individuals associated with the organisation, lack objective assessment and appear to be driven by preconceived notions.

In their statement, the former judges also questioned the institutional credibility and functioning of USCIRF, pointing out that its commissioners are appointed by the United States government and funded through public resources. They urged the US authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of the background of contributors involved in preparing the report, suggesting that such scrutiny would reveal underlying biases and possible vested interests. According to them, the report reflects a broader pattern of prejudiced narratives that aim to undermine India’s image and strain its goodwill among global audiences, particularly in the United States.

The statement further highlighted what it described as a recurring tendency on the part of USCIRF to portray Indian institutions and socio-cultural organisations in a disproportionately negative manner. The signatories argued that while organisations like the RSS may legitimately be subject to criticism, such critique must be based on verifiable evidence, contextual understanding, and balanced analysis rather than sweeping generalisations. They emphasized that the absence of nuanced evaluation raises serious concerns about the objectivity and reliability of the report.

Additionally, the signatories underscored India’s institutional framework, noting that as the world’s largest democracy, it is equipped with a robust judicial system, active parliamentary oversight, and strong democratic institutions. They asserted that this framework provides adequate mechanisms to address any violations of religious rights, thereby limiting the possibility of impunity. The statement suggested that external assessments such as those by USCIRF should take into account these structural safeguards before drawing adverse conclusions.

The joint statement was not limited to members of the judiciary but also included a broader group of 275 signatories, comprising 119 retired bureaucrats, including several former ambassadors, and 131 retired armed forces personnel. The initiative was coordinated by Bhaswati Mukherjee and M Madan Gopal, reflecting a wide spectrum of institutional voices. Collectively, the signatories called for a more balanced, evidence-based, and context-sensitive approach in international reporting on India’s socio-political landscape, cautioning against narratives that may distort facts or serve extraneous interests.