STATE repression against Indian Muslims has reached unprecedented levels as they are being victimized not just by the Hindu majority but also the state for the crime of raising their voice against violation of fundamental rights guaranteed even by the Constitution.
Right to peaceful protests is acknowledged throughout the world but in India, authorities in Uttar Pradesh state have demolished the homes of several people for their alleged involvement in ‘riots’ triggered by derogatory remarks made by ruling party figures about Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Muslims have always faced discrimination and repression in India ever since partition of the sub-continent but the trend has assumed dangerous proportions as both the central and state governments have imposed laws and introduced administrative measures aimed at depriving Muslims of their identity and the worst aspect of the entire situation is that the judiciary, which otherwise claims to be independent, has sanctioned these anti-Muslim policies and measures, reflecting overall national bias against religious minorities, especially the Muslims.
Like other parts of the world, Indian Muslims too are protesting against sacrilegious remarks by two members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, police has not only arrested the peaceful protestors accusing them of indulging in rioting but their houses have also been razed which is nothing but a sheer act of terrorism.
The provocative comments by two leaders of the BJP are seen as the latest instance of pressure and humiliation under the BJP rule on issues ranging from freedom of worship to the wearing of hijab.
There have been countrywide incidents in which Muslims were barred from offering Juma prayers in open places, permission is denied for Azan (call to prayers) from mosques, Muslims were lynched for keeping cow meat at home and Hiab-wearing Muslim girls are not allowed to attend classes in colleges and universities.
BJP has suspended two members for their sacrilegious remarks fearing these have caused a diplomatic row with several Muslim countries but blanket orders issued by the UP Chief Minister for demolition of houses of protestors and razing of houses of those who ‘threw stones’ during protests are reflective of the anti-Muslim sentiment which is being fanned by the State.
India must not be allowed to go away with blasphemous remarks as honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the red line for any Muslim.
Pakistan and some other Muslim countries have forcefully condemned these remarks demanding an apology from the Indian Government but this is not enough, especially when Islamophobia is on the rise throughout India.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had telephonic conversation with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha and the two leaders focused on the series of Islamophobic actions by the ruling dispensation in India, in particular the derogatory remarks.
The Foreign Minister observed that the derogatory remarks had deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the globe.
He noted that the BJP’s attempted clarification and the belated and perfunctory ‘disciplinary’ action against the individuals could not assuage the pain and anguish they had caused to the Muslim world.
Both sides recalled the resolutions and pronouncements of the UN and OIC on Islamophobia, and decided to remain in contact to explore avenues of combating Islamophobia in India and mitigating the suffering of the Indian Muslims.
We would demand of the OIC Secretariat to convene a special meeting of the OIC to discuss the alarming situation and the plight of Indian Muslims and take collective measures against rising Islamophobia in India.
Mere statements would not suffice as Islamophobia has always been a central feature of the ideology of Hindu nationalist factions in India.
Established in 1925, the Hindu nationalist paramilitary organisation – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – has led the charge of making India a Hindu land and campaigns have been launched off and on asking non-Hindus either to convert or quit India.
Since Modi became Premier in 2014, Islamophobia has become a matter of state policy.
This was evident in 2019, when the Modi-led government pursued the Hindu nationalist “dream” of returning exiled Hindus to the Muslim-majority state of Kashmir by revoking Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution that granted it special status.
It was under Modi that the ‘cow vigilante’ mission was launched by BJP cadres against the consumption of beef and cattle trade.
These are just glimpses of what is happening to Indian Muslims and the situation also demands publication of a comprehensive report detailing religious persecution of Muslims and based on them the OIC should initiate concrete measures to combat Islamophobia in India.
