With each passing day, the lives of Muslims in India have become increasingly fraught with uncertainty and fear. Hindu nationalist groups continue to assert their dominance, leaving the roughly 210m strong Muslim minority feeling marginalised and vulnerable.
Recent events serve as stark reminders of growing hostility faced by Indian Muslims. The destruction of a madrassah in Uttarakhand, accompanied by clashes resulting in casualties, is but the latest in a series of incidents targeting Islamic structures. Hindu nationalist activists, emboldened by the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have intensified their campaign to replace mosques with Hindu temples, symbolising a broader agenda to assert Hindu dominance. Following inauguration of a grand temple in Ayodhya, built on the site of a historic mosque, the Hindu extremists are on the rampage in several states taking over mosques and demolishing them. A six hundred years old mosque was recently demolished in Delhi. The deliberate targeting of Islamic institutions and glorification of Hindu symbols only serve to deepen communal divides. Adding to the distress is introduction of legislation in Uttarakhand that encroaches upon religious freedoms and autonomy. Provisions prohibiting polygamy and mandating equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters not only infringe upon Islamic practices but also perpetuate a narrative of Hindu majoritarianism championed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The international community must take notice of injustices faced by Indian Muslims and condemn the erosion of religious freedoms. The targeting of minority communities, with tacit approval of the state, warrants urgent action to safeguard human rights. Punitive measures, such as sanctions, should be considered if religious freedom continues to be denied to Indian Muslims. Furthermore, Muslim leaders must amplify their voices in solidarity with their brethren in India and advocate for their rights on the global stage. It is imperative that plight of Indian Muslims does not go unnoticed, and concerted efforts are made to protect their rights and dignity in the face of growing state persecution.
