India’s Rising Storm of Hate and Violence: Caste and Religious Persecution Reaches Alarming Heights

India is now accused of institutionalizing hate, exclusion, and deeply rooted caste-based discrimination under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From hate-filled speeches by elected officials to violent attacks on minorities, the reality of India today sharply contrasts its constitutional promises of equality and justice. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has fostered an environment where hate is not just tolerated but politically rewarded. Minorities, particularly Dalits, Muslims, and Christians, are being marginalized under a Hindutva-driven political narrative.

This growing wave of hate is no longer hidden—it’s public, documented, and increasingly violent. International human rights organizations have raised alarm over India’s internal issues, and the nation’s global image is tarnishing under the weight of rising intolerance.

Hate Speeches from the Top Fuel the Fire

Hateful rhetoric from the country’s leaders has become routine rather than exceptional. Prime Minister Modi has, on several occasions, made inflammatory remarks about Muslims, even referring to them as “infiltrators.” BJP leaders like Telangana MLA T. Raja Singh have taken it further, calling for the demolition of mosques. These comments are not spontaneous outbursts; they are part of a deliberate political strategy to ignite communal tensions and divert attention from governance failures.

Such speeches from state leaders provide ideological support to hate-mongers in society. When violence is sanctioned from the top, lawlessness becomes an official policy.

Dalits Targeted as Sub-Humans in Hindutva Order

Dalits remain the most vulnerable community under Modi’s India. Discrimination against Dalits is widespread—occurring in schools, workplaces, and even in public spaces. One brutal incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, saw two Dalit youths beaten by a Hindu mob during a religious festival. They were falsely accused of theft, a common justification used for violence against Dalits.

These attacks are part of a broader pattern aimed at reinforcing the message that Dalits are second-class citizens within the rigid Hindu caste system. The discrimination is systematic and widespread, with Dalits being regularly reminded of their inferior status.

Christians Also Under Siege

While much of the world remains silent, Christians in India are facing an alarming surge in hate crimes. In 2024 alone, 161 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded, including 47 in Chhattisgarh. Churches have been vandalized, prayer meetings disrupted, and worshippers physically assaulted. False accusations of forced conversions are often used as pretexts to terrorize peaceful Christian communities.

These actions reflect a coordinated effort to instill fear and silence minority voices across India. The targeted violence against Christians shows the growing intolerance in the country under Modi’s rule.

Caste-Based Killings and Injustice Continue Unabated

Caste-based violence remains a persistent issue in Modi’s India. In one tragic incident, a Dalit software engineer from Tamil Nadu was hacked to death simply for daring to love someone from a higher caste. This is not an isolated case, but part of a troubling trend of caste-related killings that continue to plague India. For Dalits, the right to love, dignity, and freedom remains a privilege denied by the rigid caste hierarchy.

Another tragic incident involved the death of a Dalit laborer in Bathinda’s Akalia Kalan during “Operation Sindoor” on May 7. A military aircraft crash claimed his life, yet his family received no compensation. This lack of response from the authorities speaks volumes about how little value is placed on a Dalit life.

Systematic Exclusion in Government and Judiciary

Numbers tell the grim story of exclusion. Although SC/ST/OBC communities make up 75–80% of India’s population, they are grossly underrepresented in positions of power. In the judiciary, around 80% of judges come from upper caste backgrounds. This raises a critical question: where is the justice for those who have no representation in the institutions that are supposed to deliver it?

Between 2018 and 2022, only 7.6% of IAS positions were filled by SCs, and 15.9% by OBCs—far below the mandated quotas. When it comes to Indian ambassadors, the situation is even more alarming, with almost all coming from upper caste backgrounds. This is not a meritocracy—it is a system of caste privilege, with systemic exclusion that appears deliberate and institutionalized.

Academia Under Siege: Exclusion of Marginalised Minds

India’s universities, once known for promoting intellectual diversity, are now bastions of exclusion. Reserved posts for backward communities in Central Universities remain largely unfilled, with 83% of ST, 80% of OBC, and 64% of SC posts vacant. Among Associate Professors, 65% of ST, 69% of OBC, and 51% of SC posts remain unoccupied.

This is not due to administrative failures but a calculated strategy to keep oppressed communities out of key intellectual and policymaking spaces. The message is clear: knowledge is for the privileged few, not the marginalized.

India’s Global Image at Risk

The rising tide of caste discrimination, religious violence, and hate crimes has caught the attention of the international community. Human rights groups, foreign governments, and global civil society have raised concerns about India’s deteriorating human rights record. Yet, the Modi government continues to dismiss all criticism as “anti-national” or “foreign propaganda.” While this tactic may work within domestic politics, it is ineffective in protecting India’s reputation abroad.

India’s democratic values are slowly being eroded from within. What is happening is not just a national crisis but a moral collapse.

Conclusion: The World Must Wake Up

Modi’s India is not simply marginalizing minorities; it is institutionalizing their exclusion. The data is damning, the stories heart-wrenching, and the silence from those in power deafening. From top government jobs to university classrooms, from police stations to courtrooms, caste and religious discrimination continue to dominate.

The world must acknowledge the reality behind India’s image as the world’s largest democracy. India cannot claim to be a beacon of democracy while denying dignity to its own people. The voices of the oppressed—Dalits, Muslims, and Christians—must not be ignored. The world must speak out, and it must do so now.