THE recent incident in which the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor was pulled down during a graduation ceremony by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is not an isolated lapse of etiquette.
Nor is it likely to be the last public humiliation of minorities in India. Rather, it reflects a deeply entrenched mindset among the Hindutva-influenced elite toward religious and social minorities, particularly Muslims. The act laid bare a political culture in which Muslim identity is increasingly viewed as something to be policed, erased or publicly demeaned even during occasions meant to celebrate merit, education and national progress. Although the incident received widespread media attention because it involved a sitting Chief Minister, countless similar acts of humiliation, exploitation and violence against minorities occur daily across India without attracting comparable notice. Indian officials, vigilante groups and segments of the Hindu majority routinely target minority communities, resulting in injuries, destruction of property and, in many cases, loss of life. Attempts to excuse the Bihar Chief Minister’s conduct by citing age or health concerns are unconvincing. The act appeared deliberate and symbolic, reflecting intolerance and contempt rather than inadvertence.
It is important to note that the hijab posed no security risk and did not obstruct the ceremony in any way. The humiliation was therefore not procedural but ideological. Such incidents are manifestations of the Hindutva worldview, which has gradually seeped into Indian statecraft and public life. This mindset is no longer confined to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone; it has permeated broader segments of Indian society. Reports by various human rights organizations consistently document widespread mistreatment of minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Sikhs and tribal communities. These abuses include mob violence by Hindu vigilante groups, arbitrary demolitions of minority-owned properties, hate speech by public officials and the enactment of discriminatory legislation. One particularly alarming trend is the surge in violence by self-styled cow-protection vigilantes, who target Muslim men on mere suspicions of consuming beef or transporting cattle. Similar acts of violence have been reported against Christians, Sikhs and even Dalits in different regions of India. These incidents point to an environment of impunity where perpetrators, emboldened by ideological backing and political silence, act without fear of accountability.
Ironically, under the constitutional cover of secularism, India has exploited its minorities throughout much of the post-colonial period. Through a deliberate and systematic strategy, regions predominantly inhabited by minorities were kept economically backward and deprived of basic facilities, particularly education and healthcare. Economic marginalization and lack of access to quality education have remained enduring tools of exclusion. Sikhs, who constitute less than two percent of India’s population, have also faced marginalization and suspicion. Since the political upheavals of the 1980s, Sikhs have frequently been portrayed as anti-state or disloyal. Today, Indian government agencies and affiliated organizations are accused of targeting Sikh communities not only within India but also abroad, further deepening a sense of insecurity and alienation among them.
Christians are similarly subjected to discrimination and harassment. They face persistent pressure from Hindutva groups like RSS to convert to Hinduism. In recent years, attacks on Christian institutions, clergy and places of worship have increased sharply. The communal violence in Manipur stands as a stark example of what many observers describe as state-enabled persecution of Christians, involving displacement, destruction and terror. Muslims, the largest minority group in India (17%) remain the primary targets of systematic discrimination. They are frequently humiliated, economically marginalized, subjected to forced displacement and pressured to renounce their faith. In June 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over the rise in anti-conversion laws, hate speech and demolitions of homes and places of worship belonging to minority communities in India. Earlier, The New York Times published an article titled “India’s Muslims and the Price of Partition,” highlighting policies and rhetoric that demand Muslims reconvert to Hinduism, a call echoed by the BJP and its ideological affiliates.
According to Catholic World Report, thousands of Christians and Muslims faced attacks and intimidation in 2023, while hundreds of churches and mosques were destroyed. An analysis by the Pew Research Center ranked India as the fourth worst country among 198 in terms of religious intolerance. The study examined hate crimes, mob and communal violence, religion-related terrorism, coercion to prevent religious practices, harassment of women over religious dress and violence linked to conversion.
Pulling-down of hijab of a Muslim lady doctor by CM Nitish Kumar is just a recent incident, regrettably, evidence suggests that elements within India’s political leadership, bureaucracy, security forces and intelligence agencies have been complicit in the persecution of Muslims, including acts of torture, sexual violence and extrajudicial killings. The long Indian history of religious intolerance, reinforced by caste hierarchies and majoritarian politics, has made it increasingly unsafe for non-Hindu communities. Extremist narratives now openly claim that Hindus alone have an exclusive right to the land known as Hindustan, leaving minorities with the grim choice of conversion or exile.
As reported by Reuters, religious freedom conditions in India continued to deteriorate with the rising attacks and discrimination against minorities. The report noted that Hindu nationalist rhetoric and disinformation propagated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have further inflamed social divisions. In this context, the international community and the United Nations cannot remain silent. Indian systematic exploitation of minorities is a reality. Unless urgent corrective measures are taken, India risks further eroding its credentials and moral standing in the world.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
