India
US Commissioners Warn of Vigilante Attacks on Sikh Gurdwaras in India
By PTI
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioners David Anderson and Joe Grogan said Sikh gurdwaras in India have been targeted with vigilante attacks, including attempts to harm religious leaders. Anderson urged the U.S. to link security assistance to the Indian government’s response to violence that prevents people from exercising freedom of religious belief (FoRB). Grogan added that attacks on houses of worship in India—including churches, gurdwaras, and mosques—undermine FoRB rights enshrined in international law and called on the U.S. government to press India to hold perpetrators accountable and protect places of worship. India has described USCIRF as a biased organization lacking credibility. USCIRF was established by the U.S. government in 1998 after the International Religious Freedom Act was not enacted; its recommendations are non‑binding on the U.S. State Department. Published – November 06, 2026 09:42 pm IST
Frequently asked questions
What types of attacks have Sikh gurdwaras in India faced according to USCIRF?
They have been targeted with vigilante attacks, including attempts to harm religious leaders.
What did David Anderson urge the U.S. to do regarding security assistance?
He urged the U.S. to link security assistance to the Indian government’s response to violence that prevents people from exercising freedom of religious belief.
How does India describe the USCIRF?
India has described USCIRF as a biased organization lacking credibility.