THE announcement by Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India to implement the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has reignited concerns about the marginalization of Muslims in the country. Passed in 2019, the CAA offers Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighbouring countries, effectively excluding Muslims from its provisions.
This move by the BJP government comes at a critical juncture, just weeks before PM Modi seeks a third term for his Hindu nationalist government. It underscores a troubling pattern of discriminatory policies and rhetoric that have characterized Modi’s tenure, raising serious questions about the secular nature of India. Muslim groups have vehemently opposed the CAA, arguing that it, combined with a proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), could lead to the disenfranchisement of India’s 200 million-strong Muslim community. There are genuine concerns that the Indian government may use these measures to strip citizenship from Muslims deemed unable to provide adequate documentation, particularly in Border States. The implementation of the CAA is just one aspect of the systemic discrimination and persecution faced by Indian Muslims under Modi’s rule. Extremist Hindu groups have been emboldened, leading to the occupation of mosques and denial of space for Muslims to perform their rituals. This erosion of religious freedoms further exacerbates the marginalization of Muslims in Indian society. With each passing day, the space for Indian Muslims is shrinking, and the implementation of the CAA is yet another manifestation of this trend. It is imperative that the international community takes notice of the discrimination and injustices faced by Indian Muslims and condemns the BJP government’s actions. Pakistan has consistently raised its voice in support of the rights of Indian Muslims, but it is not solely the responsibility of neighbouring countries to advocate for their rights. Muslim nations, including those in the Gulf, must also express solidarity with Indian Muslims and condemn the discriminatory policies of the Modi government. Only through collective action can we hope to address the systemic injustices faced by Indian Muslims and uphold the principles of equality and justice for all.
