Growing Violence Against Muslims in India

Recently, India’s Supreme Court warned that attacks against Muslims had become a “new normal.” Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, discrimination and violent episodes have sparked nationwide. More unnerving, both the Indian government and other major countries are complicit in such violence. Their inaction and support of violence reflect the deep religious divides and Islamophobia in India. 

For too long, Muslim communities have faced structural barriers in receiving employment, housing, and education. This has plunged millions of Muslims into poverty, and granted exclusive privilege to other religious groups. While the Indian constitution grants broad egalitarian protections, Muslims have been ignored in the eyes of the law. With justice inaccessible to them, they face an uphill battle when fighting inequality.

Making matters worse, India’s government had done little to come to the defense of Muslim communities. Due to unequal education opportunities and sharp islamophobia sentiments, Muslims lack representation in government. Although they make up a large portion of the population, only five seats in the legislature were held by Muslims.  If anything, the government has provoked violence, and proven itself biased against Muslims. The Citizenship Amendment Act granted exclusive citizenship for all but Muslim migrants. The amendment rejected suffering Muslims coming from countries such as Syria. The UN Human Rights Office dubbed the Citizenship Amendment Act “fundamentally discriminatory.” Meanwhile, the government actively sponsors anti-Muslim propaganda, which is also promoted by the country's media. It often crafts conspiracies around Muslims, thus deepening India's religious divisions. 

Most terrifying, violence has heightened during Modi’s rule, with mob attacks becoming one of the most common expressions: Vigilantes attack anyone suspected of being Muslim. Each year, violence kills tens of thousands of Muslims. A 2019 report found that half the police have an “anti-Muslim bias, making them less likely to intervene in stopping crimes against Muslims.” Thus, Islamophobia has weakened both the rule of law and the accountability of the police. Undoubtedly, the Indian police are complicit in anti-Muslim violence. 
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Powerful democratic nations fashion themselves as the protectors of human rights. Nonetheless, very few have recognized these Muslim atrocities, nor India’s involvement. Influential nations should encourage the Indian government to fight against these crimes rather than being complicit in causing them. Muslim communities cannot afford any more silence. 

Regardless of where you live, you can help. Urge all governments to condemn all anti-Muslim injustice. India is now one of the most dangerous countries for Muslims to live in. Every day, they are persecuted psychologically, economically, and violently. Since the birth of its democracy, India has been committed to equality — now, it seems, Modi is abandoning this commitment. 

Sources:

• https://www.stimson.org/wp-content/files/file-attachments/Muslim_Indians-Complete_1.pdf 
• https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/india-muslims-marginalized-population-bjp-modi ​
• https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/1/13/no-respite-in-sight-for-indias-persecuted-religious-minorities 
• https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2017/06/india-hate-crimes-against-muslims-and-rising-islamophobia-must-be-condemned/