Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief at the 52nd Session of Human Rights Council (27 February – 4 April 2023) delivered by Mr. Santosh Kumar Mohanty, Director, Geneva, 13 March 2023
Mr. Vice-President,
We thank the Special Rapporteur for presenting her vision on the mandate and agree on the three key dimensions as identified by the SR in her report.
2. India is a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society and we not only respect but celebrate our diversity. The Constitution of India protects freedom of religion and conscience, and the right of all individuals to freely profess, practice and propagate religion as a fundamental right. It guarantees justiciable fundamental rights to all Indian citizens without any discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
3. A range of legislations have been enacted to protect freedom of religion and punish offences such as promotion of enmity between different groups on ground of religion, committing a deliberate and malicious act to outrage the religious feelings, or acts prejudicial to maintenance of national integration and harmony. Most recently, the Supreme Court of India has directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate suo moto cognizance of “hate speech” and proceed against the offenders in accordance with law.
4. It’s unfortunate that we are witnessing increase in instances of phobias against the followers of various religions. In various regions of the world, we have witnessed destruction of temples and idols, glorification of desecration of idols, violation of gurudwara premises, massacre of Sikh pilgrims in gurudwaras and numerous other acts of religious intolerance. There is a need for the international community to recognize the instances of intolerance, prejudice, phobia and violence against followers of all religions and work together to eliminate them.
I thank you.
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