Syed Adil Gulzar
Although constitution of India protects freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on one’s faith, instances of violence against religious minorities have been increasing in recent years. Religious minority groups in India are consistently subjected to inhuman and intolerant treatment at the hands of growing violent and extremists. Violence and denial of constitutional rights are the usual tools with which Indian minorities are preyed by extremists. Recently at an event titled ‘Religious Freedom in India, Religious freedom activists from across the U.S. Criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his failure to stop the violence carried out by Hindutva groups against religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians. At a Briefing on Capitol Hill’, organised by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) on the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the activists urged the Indian prime minister to condemn such violence against religious minorities as well as take all necessary measures to curb the riseof Hindutva extremism and punish those involved in violence.
Hamid Ansari former Vice President of India who had served the chair for 10 whole years said, “The Muslims in the country are experiencing a feeling of unease. A sense of insecurity is creeping in as a result of the dominant mood created by some and the resultant intolerance and vigilantism.” For instance in state of Uttar Pradesh ,Since the election of Aditya Yogi as UP CM. The wave of intolerance and vigilantism started with increasing activities of extremist outfits. The threat has started its manifestation in many shapes. Schools and other educational institutions including Curriculum is being systematically changed, followed by ban on “Beef”, change in Names of Muslim areas . Muslims face lynching’s , Christians are subjected to vandalism of Churches, Sikh community is denied separate socio-religious status, whereas, Scheduled castes and other communities face different intimidating tactics at the cruel and barbaric hands. Threats of communal violence increase when local forces wait for orders before acting, or worse, are instructed not to act. These problems are compounded when responsible officials are not held accountable after the fact.
Dharm Jagran Smiti (DJS) leader Rajeshwar Singh had threatened to Hinduize India by 2021 by expelling or re-converting Muslims and Christians people.
To promote Hindutva ideology, groups are all out to undo the historical role of Muslims in India. BJP leader Sangeet Som called Taj Mahal “a blot on Indian culture”. UP govt under Hindu CM Yogi removed Taj Mahal from list of tourist destinations. governments of Rajasthan and Maharashtra have rewritten history chapters in text books and opted to omit Muslim rulers including the Mughals. Subramanian Swamy, a senior BJP leader from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, declared in a speech that mosques, unlike temples, are not holy places and thus can be demolished. BJP CM (Haryana) announced that the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita (the Hindu holy text) would become mandatory throughout the state. Cities/Towns with Muslims names are changed to sanskirt/Hindi names.
minorities are targeted/killed on the pretexts of “Beef politics”. Vigilante cow protection groups harassed and attacked people in states including Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka in the name of upholding laws prohibiting the killing of cows. Of all the victims killed by the vigilantes, more than 80 percent are Muslims followed by Dalits. No democracy can be a real democracy where the constitutional secular fabric of society, pluralistic tradition faces such serious challenges.
(The author is freelancer. Views are his own)
