Outsiders in Their Own Land: TRT Report on Growing Challenges for Indian Muslims

A recent report by TRT Global exposes the rising challenges faced by India’s Muslim population, which is set to become the world’s largest Muslim community by 2060. The article titled “After 78 years, India’s Muslims are being written out of citizenship,” critically highlights how India’s citizenship laws, particularly the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), have left Muslims marginalized. Once an integral part of Indian society, Muslims are now being systematically excluded, treated as outsiders in their own country.

The Citizenship Amendment Act: A Dangerous Shift

Until 2019, India had no religious test for citizenship, but the CAA changed this by introducing a religion-based criterion. The law grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries while excluding Muslims. This decision directly contradicts India’s secular foundation and undermines the rights of its Muslim citizens. By making religion a key factor, the law marginalizes Muslims and makes them second-class citizens in their own land.

Exclusion and Targeting of Muslims: A Growing Trend

The CAA is part of a broader trend to systematically exclude Muslims. Following the 2019 Pahalgam attack, Indian authorities conducted a crackdown on suspected “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh, targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, many of whom are poor laborers. These people have been detained without legal process or trial, further deepening the religious divide. Such arbitrary actions show a clear intention to push Muslims to the fringes of Indian society.

The CAA’s Disenfranchisement of Muslims Without Documents

A significant concern raised by the report is how the CAA disenfranchises Muslims who lack documentary proof of citizenship. Millions of poor Muslims in rural areas do not possess the required papers, making them vulnerable to being stripped of their rights. Meanwhile, non-Muslim undocumented immigrants are allowed to apply for citizenship, revealing the discriminatory nature of the law. This creates a two-tier system that deepens inequality and unjustly targets Muslims.

Betrayal of the 1947 Promise

The report also highlights the “layered betrayal” of the promises made to Muslims in 1947. At the time of India’s independence, Muslims were assured equal rights in a secular India. However, over time, this promise has been broken, particularly with the introduction of the CAA. By introducing policies that exclude Muslims, the government has betrayed the founding principles of the nation and violated its commitment to equal rights for all citizens.

Electoral Roll Revisions: Another Form of Marginalization

Another worrying development is the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, where the citizenship status of 80 million voters is being re-verified. This process, which aims to remove “illegal immigrants” from the voter list, disproportionately affects Muslims, many of whom lack official documentation. This move further diminishes their political power and denies them a voice in the democratic process, increasing their marginalization.

Bollywood’s Silence on Muslim Representation

The report also criticizes Bollywood for its failure to address the growing discrimination against Muslims. The film The Kerala Story (2023), which has been widely debunked for its false portrayal of Muslim women being trafficked to ISIS, is still being promoted by Hindutva leaders. Bollywood’s refusal to confront the harmful narratives being spread through such films reflects its complicity in fostering Islamophobia and exacerbating the marginalization of Muslims.

Islamophobic Stereotypes in Indian Cinema

Bollywood has long been criticized for its portrayal of Muslims as villains, terrorists, or criminals. The report points out that these stereotypes are perpetuated in films, reinforcing the public perception of Muslims as a threat. The depiction of Muslim characters as dangerous and villainous has contributed to a hostile environment, where Muslims are increasingly seen as outsiders in their own country.

Economic Struggles of Muslims in India

The economic condition of Muslims in India is another serious concern. Despite making up a large portion of the population, Muslims continue to face high levels of poverty, unemployment, and discrimination in the workplace. The government’s policies have only worsened these economic disparities, leaving Muslims more vulnerable to exploitation and making it harder for them to break free from poverty.

The Deepening Religious Divide in India

The report paints a stark picture of a country where religious divisions are growing. The rise of Hindu nationalism, aided by policies like the CAA, has deepened the divide between Muslims and Hindus. As religious lines are being drawn by the state, Muslims are increasingly pushed to the margins, with their rights and dignity being undermined. The growing intolerance poses a serious threat to India’s democracy and its identity as a pluralistic society.

International Response: A Missed Opportunity

The international community has largely failed to respond to the treatment of Muslims in India. Despite the country’s worsening human rights record, global powers continue to engage with India diplomatically. The report calls for more active intervention from international bodies like the United Nations and human rights organizations to address the systemic discrimination against Muslims and demand accountability from the Indian government.

The Role of Indian Civil Society in Challenging Exclusion

Indian civil society has an essential role to play in challenging the growing marginalization of Muslims. Intellectuals, activists, and religious leaders must come together to demand an end to discriminatory policies and fight for the equal treatment of all citizens. India’s democratic values are at risk, and civil society must hold the government accountable for its exclusionary practices.

Secularism Must Be Protected: India’s Future at Stake

The TRT report emphasizes the need for India to return to its secular roots. The country’s founding principles of secularism and equal rights for all must be upheld to preserve its democratic identity. The current trend of religious exclusion is undermining these values and threatening India’s future. Secularism and equal rights must be protected for all citizens, regardless of religion.

Conclusion: Muslims Becoming Outsiders in Their Own Land

The TRT report serves as a warning about the increasing marginalization of Muslims in India. The Citizenship Amendment Act, the crackdown on Muslims, the portrayal of Muslims as villains in media, and the economic hardships faced by the community are all part of a wider strategy to exclude Muslims from Indian society. For millions of Muslims, the rights they once enjoyed are now being eroded, making them outsiders in their own land. The international community and Indian civil society must take action to address these injustices and ensure that India remains a place where all citizens are treated equally, regardless of their religious identity.