Imam Booked in UP for Azan, Exposing India’s Growing Persecution of Muslims

India claims to be a secular democracy but the recent case in Uttar Pradesh clearly shows a very different picture where Muslim citizens face direct pressure from state bodies. The action against the Imam for giving azan on a loudspeaker exposes how deeply the bias has entered official conduct in the country. Under the Modi government such events have become common and they show how one community is being pushed to the edge.

◆ Selective Action: The police acted only on the mosque while other places of worship were not touched.
◆ Public Worry: The case has raised concern among people inside and outside India.
◆ Growing Pattern: This event fits into a long pattern of unfair steps against Muslims.

The Falling Mask of Indian Secularism

India often speaks of equal rights but the treatment of Muslims proves that these claims hold little value on the ground. When the simple call to prayer becomes a target it shows that even basic religious acts are now seen as a threat by officials. The Modi government has allowed an environment where loss of fairness has become normal.

◆ Unequal Rules: Noise laws are used quickly against mosques but not against temples.
◆ Political Motive: The ruling party gains support by appearing harsh toward Muslims.
◆ State Approval: The silence of top leaders shows that this trend is supported at the highest level.

The Criminalisation of Muslim Worship

The police registered a case under strong legal sections against Imam Maulana Rafique Khan for giving azan beyond the so called sound limit and this act alone exposes how minor issues are turned into criminal charges when Muslims are involved. Instead of discussion the police used punishment as the first step which shows the mindset that now controls the state system. The use of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for such a small matter shows that Muslims are treated as suspects even when they follow their faith.

◆ Harsh Charges: The sections used are normally for serious violations not simple prayer calls.
◆ Community Fear: Many Muslims now worry about normal religious practice.
◆ Legal Burden: These laws create pressure and fear for an already stressed community.

Noise Laws as a Political Weapon

Noise rules in India are not applied fairly and are mainly used when the target is a mosque or a Muslim gathering. Temples use loudspeakers with much higher sound levels yet they continue without any police check which exposes clear double standards. The Modi government has turned simple rules into tools of punishment to weaken the confidence of Muslims.

◆ Clear Bias: Loud temple bells are ignored while azan is seen as a problem.
◆ Public Division: Such actions divide society and increase mistrust.
◆ Political Messaging: These steps send a signal that Muslims are not welcome in public life.

Hindutva’s Grip on State Institutions

Under the present government the influence of Hindutva has entered police stations offices and even village bodies. The state no longer behaves as a neutral authority but instead shows clear favour towards groups linked with the ruling party. When institutions follow political ideology instead of the law minorities suffer the most.

◆ Loss of Neutrality: State workers act with open bias when dealing with Muslim issues.
◆ Weak Oversight: There is little effort from courts or other bodies to correct this bias.
◆ Normalised Hate: Anti Muslim actions are treated as common behaviour rather than a serious problem.

Historical Pattern of Targeting Mosques

The recent case is not an isolated event as in February 2025 the police also removed loudspeakers from the historic Shahi Jamia Masjid which was a clear insult to the community. Forcing the Imam to give azan from the rooftop showed how far the authorities were willing to go to humiliate Muslim citizens. When a mosque from the sixteenth century can be targeted it becomes clear that no place of worship is safe from this growing wave of discrimination.

◆ Symbolic Attack: Actions against mosques send a message of fear and control.
◆ Repeated Incidents: The number of similar events is rising in many Indian states.
◆ Official Silence: The government does not condemn these actions which shows silent approval.

Intellectual Voices Warning of a Dangerous Trend

Scholars like Sushant Singh from Yale University have clearly stated that India today follows rule by law and not rule of law which means that laws are used as tools of punishment not as tools of justice. His comments reflect what many thinkers inside India also believe about the decline of fairness. When respected voices warn the world it becomes hard for India to hide its growing failure to protect equal rights.

◆ Strong Warning: Scholars fear India is abandoning justice and basic rights.
◆ Global Notice: The world is paying attention to India’s treatment of Muslims.
◆ Moral Concern: Many fear that this conduct can lead to deeper social conflict.

The Wider Impact on Indian Muslims

Each new case increases stress in Muslim neighbourhoods where people already feel unsafe under the current political climate. Children elders workers and families live with fear that any small act of faith might become a police case. The sense of being treated as second class citizens is now deeply rooted in daily life for many Muslims in India.

◆ Daily Stress: Constant fear affects health and work of Muslim families.
◆ Political Exclusion: Muslims have almost no voice in the current political space.
◆ Isolation: Many feel disconnected from the state that should protect them.

Conclusion

The case of the Imam in Uttar Pradesh is a clear example of how India under the Modi government has abandoned its own claim of equal rights. Instead of giving safety to all citizens the state is using its power to target one community again and again. Until India returns to real justice and real equality its claim of being the world’s largest democracy will remain an empty phrase without any true meaning.