Uma demands apology from US on religious freedom report

Barwani, MP, Sep 17 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) President Uma Bharti today took great exception to a US State Department report claiming that some state and local governments in India limit the practice of freedom of religion.

Ms Bharti said the report -- released by the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- had expressed concern over religious atmosphere in some states, particularly BJP-ruled states and given clean chit to the UPA Government.

The sadhvi alleged that the US was an example of religious narrow-mindedness. It was proved when Christian missionaries and some churches objected to Baba Ramdev's 'Yoga'. She demanded an apology from the US for the report..

The report had praised the UPA Government for implementing an inclusive and secular platform that included respect for the right to religious freedom.

However, it was critical of the states ruled by the BJP, which was vitiating secular atmosphere by implementing anti-conversion laws. There were reports of organised societal attacks against minority religious groups, though the vast majority of Indians of every religious group lived in peaceful coexistence.

UNI