Uttarakhand BJP Chief Denounces USCIRF’s Critique on Hindutva

Uttarakhand BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt criticized the USCIRF hearing for targeting Indian leaders and culture. He defended three Chief Ministers accused of promoting Hindutva ideology and questioned attempts to malign India globally. Bhatt condemned the portrayal of cultural protection as a crime, asserting foreign misrepresentation of India's image.

Uttarakhand BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt has issued a strong rebuke against the recent hearing by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), criticizing it as an attack on Hindutva's vocal proponents. In a statement released on Wednesday, Bhatt expressed regret over discussions on India's religion causing international resentment.

Bhatt remarked, 'It is unfortunate that discussions surrounding India's culture, religion, and civilization provoke such disturbances that they are now felt across borders.' He highlighted that during the USCIRF hearing, three Indian Chief Ministers—Pushkar Singh Dhami, Yogi Adityanath, and Himanta Biswa Sarma—were targeted.

According to Bhatt, a left-liberal activist, Raqib Ahmad Naik, reportedly criticized Hindutva ideology and nationalist entities, urging sanctions against the aforementioned leaders. He voiced concern over organizations such as RSS and VHP being targeted while denouncing the discomfort these protectors of cultural heritage cause certain factions.