FASCIST and anti-Muslim policies pursued by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set India on fire and if course correction was not done, the situation could further deteriorate and spiral out of control that could have serious consequences for the whole region.
The country has been rocked by massive protests and riots as people have come out of their homes against the contentious and discriminatory citizenship law which has stoked fears that Modi wants to remould India only as a Hindu country where there is no place for followers of other religions especially Muslims. Indian security forces in different states have so far killed 23 protestors while hundreds of others have been detained. The situation has reached such a level that Indian government has also blocked Internet services in those states where massive protests are underway. The situation in India itself today is not different to the one in occupied Kashmir where Indian authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew since the revocation of special status of the territory on August 05. To divert attention from this domestic chaos and anarchy, Indian government is once again resorting to tactics that could have serious consequences for the region. The Indian Army Chief, the other day, warned that situation at the LOC could flare up any time and one also saw Indian troops once again violating ceasefire line at Dewa sector. Sensing sordid Indian designs, Prime Minister Imran Khan issued a strongly worded statement warning Pakistan will give a befitting response in case of any Indian false flag operation.
India declares itself as the biggest democracy but the fact is that it is using force against protestors demanding revocation of the citizenship act, which if not done, protests are bound to galvanize more public support and pace in the days ahead. While Malaysian PM Mahathir Muhammad has condemned the citizenship act, it is also time for human rights champions to shun their duplicity and expediency and step in to get anti-Muslim steps by Modi rescinded and avert a conflict between two nuclear armed countries.