Targeted Demolition: India’s Campaign Against Muslim Places of Worship

The systematic demolition of mosques, shrines, and dargahs in India under Narendra Modi’s BJP is a chilling testament to an anti-Muslim agenda. This campaign aims to marginalize Muslims and strip them of their religious rights.

These demolitions are not random acts; they represent a deliberate effort to erase Islamic history in India. The current government’s actions expose a deeply rooted anti-Muslim sentiment that has become institutionalized.

Driven by radical Hindu ideology, the BJP seeks to establish Hindu supremacy while relegating Muslims and other minorities to second-class citizens. This exclusion deprives them of their constitutional right to practice their faith freely.

Since Modi took power in 2014, incidents of violence against Muslims have surged dramatically. Lynching, attacks on places of worship, and hate speech have all seen alarming increases. Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International document this disturbing trend.

Radical Hindu groups, emboldened by state support, operate with impunity, further entrenching the exclusion of Muslims from mainstream Indian society. The destruction of Islamic religious structures is a physical manifestation of the idea that Muslims do not fit into Modi’s vision of India.

These actions are clear violations of international human rights standards. The right to freedom of religion, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is being trampled underfoot.

India’s self-proclaimed status as a secular democracy is rendered absurd by the BJP’s actions. The systematic reduction of Muslims’ ability to live freely and practice their religion contradicts this claim. Legislative measures like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) formalize this exclusion, showing how the state seeks to marginalize Muslims further.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has also categorized India as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its deteriorating treatment of Muslims. This reinforces the grim reality that religious freedom is under siege in Modi’s India.

The coordinated effort to erase Islamic identity is not just about demolishing structures; it aims to eradicate the Muslim way of life, culture, and the right to practice faith without fear.

The international community, including the United Nations, must take decisive action to prevent further religious persecution and hold India accountable for its blatant disregard for the rights of its minorities.

Under Modi’s regime, India is transforming into a nation where Muslims are denied the fundamental right to live and practice their religion. This starkly violates the principles of equality and freedom that any democracy should uphold. The time for action is now; silence will only enable further atrocities.