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India Rejects ‘Politically Motivated, Malicious References' in UN Panel's Rights Report
India defended its rights record after the UN committee cited alleged discrimination, abuse and citizenship stripping affecting marginalized groups.
On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected observations from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, labeling them "politically motivated" and "highly malicious."
Criticizing the National Register of Citizens in Assam, the Committee on Tuesday raised concerns regarding the subjecting of Bengali-speaking Muslims to "systematic and structural racial discrimination."
Solicitor General of India Shri Tushar Mehta led the inter-ministerial delegation during the August 11-12 review, rejecting the panel's "unsubstantiated allegations" while emphasizing India's constitutional safeguards and legal framework.
While the Ministry maintained India participated in a "spirit of constructive engagement," the diplomatic pushback followed the Committee citing alleged "large-scale violations" by law enforcement personnel.
India’s 11th periodic review under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination covered the country’s 12th and 21st combined periodic reports submitted in 2023.
MEA’s response comes after the UN Committee raised concerns regarding reports alleging “large-scale violations” by law enforcement personnel against ethnic and ethno-religious populations