India’s Systematic Persecution of Muslims: A Dangerous Hindutva Agenda Under Modi’s Rule

The treatment of Muslims in India has reached alarming levels under the Modi regime, with reports showing rising harassment, violence, and discrimination. The government’s Hindutva agenda has fueled these actions, and Muslims are now facing systematic targeting across the country. While Modi’s government claims to protect national unity, its policies have instead divided the nation, creating an atmosphere of hate and fear for Muslim communities, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

♦ State-Supported Discrimination:
The Indian state, under Modi’s leadership, has failed to protect Muslims, enabling extremist groups to target them freely.

♦ Rising Extremism and Violence:
Hindu nationalist groups are attacking Muslims with little resistance from authorities, signaling a troubling rise in violence and intolerance.

♦ Institutional Bias Against Muslims:
Muslims are not only subjected to physical violence but also face institutional bias, with their properties demolished and rights infringed without due process.

Modi’s Hindutva Agenda: Undermining Secularism in India

The rise in Islamophobia and violence against Muslims can be directly linked to Modi’s promotion of Hindutva. This ideology aims to make India a Hindu nation, sidelining religious minorities like Muslims. The current government’s actions are undermining the secular values upon which India was built, pushing the country further away from its democratic ideals.

♦ Promoting Religious Division:
Hindutva is a political ideology that seeks to marginalize Muslims and undermine their cultural and religious identity in India.

♦ Institutionalizing Hate:
Under Modi’s leadership, hate speech and violence against Muslims have become normalized, with little to no action taken against the perpetrators.

Daily Harassment and Discrimination: Muslims in Fear

Muslims in India are facing increasing levels of harassment in their daily lives. Recent reports reveal shocking incidents where Muslims are forced to chant Hindu slogans or face violence. Whether in public transport or in educational institutions, Muslims are targeted simply for their religious beliefs, creating a climate of fear and mistrust.

♦ Targeting Muslims in Public Spaces:
Muslims are regularly subjected to verbal and physical abuse in public, especially by extremist Hindu groups who are emboldened by government inaction.

♦ Public Humiliation and Coercion:
Muslims are coerced into chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram,” and forced to bow before idols, demonstrating the deep-rooted religious intolerance in India.

The Modi Government’s Inaction: Aiding and Abetting Violence

Modi’s government has failed to protect Muslims, with authorities turning a blind eye to the growing violence and hate crimes. Extremist groups feel empowered under the current regime, as there are no consequences for inciting violence against Muslims. This negligence has led to an increase in crimes against Muslims, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported by the state.

♦ Government’s Complicity in Hate Crimes:
Indian authorities have consistently failed to take action against extremist groups, allowing violence against Muslims to go unchecked.

♦ State Silence on Violence:
Despite widespread incidents of violence, the Modi government remains silent, tacitly supporting these attacks by not holding the perpetrators accountable.

Muslim Rights Under Attack: Arbitrary Arrests and Property Demolitions

Muslims face arbitrary arrests and the destruction of their properties for simply exercising their rights or protesting. Recent reports highlight how Muslim-owned businesses and properties are demolished without any legal justification. These actions are part of a broader effort to punish Muslims for their dissent against the government’s oppressive policies.

♦ Illegal Demolition of Muslim Properties:
Muslim businesses and homes are being demolished without legal recourse, a direct attack on their property rights and a violation of their legal protections.

♦ Arrests Without Justice:
Muslims are arrested without trial for protesting or voicing their opinions, a clear violation of their right to free expression.

India’s Media: A Tool for Perpetuating Hatred

India’s media has played a significant role in perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiment. Instead of highlighting the violence and discrimination faced by Muslims, many Indian media outlets either ignore the issue or justify it. This biased media coverage only fuels the hatred and division within Indian society, aligning itself with the Modi government’s narrative.

♦ Media Complicity in Spreading Hate:
Indian media often promotes a narrative that justifies violence against Muslims, either by underreporting it or presenting it as justified.

♦ Selective Reporting:
The media consistently fails to report on the suffering of Muslims, instead focusing on any incidents involving Muslims that can be framed as a threat to Hinduism.

Kashmir: The Epicenter of India’s Oppression

Kashmir has become the focal point of India’s oppression of Muslims. The region is under a heavy military presence, and Muslims are denied basic rights, including the right to self-determination. India’s actions in Kashmir reflect the broader strategy of religious persecution and political repression that Muslims face throughout the country.

♦ Kashmir as a Test Case for Repression:
Kashmir is the clearest example of Modi’s repressive policies, where Muslims are subjected to military control, forced displacement, and denial of political rights.

♦ Denial of Self-Determination:
The people of Kashmir continue to fight for their right to self-determination, but India’s refusal to recognize this right has led to a deepening crisis in the region.

The Need for Global Accountability

India’s treatment of Muslims, especially under the Modi regime, is a grave violation of human rights. The growing Islamophobia, violence, and discrimination against Muslims are the direct result of the government’s Hindutva agenda, which marginalizes Muslims and other minorities. The international community must act to hold India accountable for its actions, ensuring that the rights of Muslims are protected and that the violence against them is stopped. India must be forced to reckon with the damage caused by its discriminatory policies and face the consequences for its human rights abuses.