Reacting strongly to a US report which said religious freedom in India was on a “negative trajectory” in 2015, India on said it “fails to show proper understanding of India, its constitution and its society”.External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Government does not see the locus standi of a foreign entity like USCIRF to pronounce on the state of Indian citizens’ constitutionally protected rights. It said India is a vibrant pluralistic society founded on strong democratic principles. The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens including the right to freedom of religion.He was reacting to the US report which asked the Indian government to publicly rebuke officials and religious leaders who make derogatory statements about religious communities.Members of USCIRF were denied visas by Indian government early this year on the argument that religious freedom is enshrined in the constitution and any foreign third party has no locus standi to comment or investigate on it. USCIRF alleged that members of the ruling BJP tacitly supported these groups and used religiously-divisive language to further inflame tensions.