In a scathing indictment of human rights abuses in India, the United States State Department released its annual report titled "India 2023 Human Rights Report" on Monday. The comprehensive document, compiled by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, highlighted a range of issues, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and surveillance of civil society activists and journalists.
One of the gravest concerns outlined in the report was the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur, a northeastern state. The conflict has resulted in significant human rights abuses, with hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced from their homes since early May.
Moreover, the report criticized the Indian government's response, stating that minimal credible steps were taken to identify and punish officials responsible for human rights violations. Instances of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, were cited, such as the case of former Samajwadi MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, who were shot dead in custody in Uttar Pradesh.
The report also highlighted a disturbing incident where constable Chetan Singh fatally shot three Muslim passengers and a Railway Protection Force official on a train from Jaipur to Mumbai. Witnesses claimed Singh selectively targeted his victims based on their names, leading to allegations of a hate crime.
Extrajudicial killings were not isolated incidents, as the report revealed a staggering 813 cases registered between 2016 and 2022, with Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh recording the highest numbers. Additionally, disappearances allegedly involving government authorities and arbitrary arrests were widespread, with police accused of failing to file required arrest reports, resulting in unresolved cases.
The report shed light on the misuse of special laws to delay judicial reviews of arrests, particularly citing the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which accounted for over 8,000 arrests between 2015 and 2020. It also documented instances where individuals were detained for custodial interrogation without proper identification or arrest warrants.
Property seizure and forced evictions without due process were also condemned in the report. Numerous cases were reported where individuals were displaced from their residences and had their properties seized or demolished, often under the pretext of municipal regulations.
Of particular concern was the targeting of vocal critics from the Muslim community by state governments, especially after protests or communal violence. Human rights activists reported instances where bulldozers were used to destroy homes and livelihoods without adequate legal recourse, raising questions about the abuse of power.
In addition to physical harassment and attacks, journalists critical of the government faced intimidation tactics, including raids on their workplaces and homes, seizure of electronic devices, and threats of legal action. The report highlighted instances where government officials, at both local and national levels, exerted pressure on media outlets, constrained freedom of movement, and disrupted access to communication services, such as mobile telephones and the Internet.
The report concluded by emphasizing the Indian government's restrictions on digital media and frequent monitoring of users, undermining freedom of expression and privacy rights.
The release of the U.S. State Department's report underscores growing international scrutiny of human rights conditions in India and calls for urgent action to address systemic issues of impunity, arbitrary detention, and suppression of dissent.