Amidst the glittering lights of Diwali and the bustling streets of India, a dark reality lurks. The once-great secular democracy of India, where Muslims and Hindus coexisted for centuries, is now fast approaching the possibility of genocide against its Muslim population. The root cause of this catastrophic situation can be traced back to the bloody partition of India in 1947, which left deep scars and created a legacy of religious tensions. However, the current wave of violence and hatred against Muslims in India is intricately linked with the ruling party, the BJP, and its ideology of Hindutva.
The BJP’s rule in India has seen a sharp rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, as well as an increase in incidents of communal violence. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, “Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in India in 2014, it has used its official and unofficial channels to promote a Hindu nationalist agenda that seeks to define India as a Hindu state and marginalize religious minorities.” This agenda has led to the criminalization of dissent, the suppression of human rights, and the persecution of Muslim minorities.
The BJP’s anti-Muslim rhetoric has only intensified since the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed in 2019. The CAA, which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, sparked widespread protests across India. The protests were met with brutal force, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 people and the arrest of over 5,000. International human rights organizations have widely condemned the BJP government’s response to the protests.
The BJP’s hateful rhetoric and policies have emboldened right-wing extremist groups, who have brutally attacked Muslims with impunity. One of the most heinous incidents was the 2020 Delhi riots, which were sparked by a speech made by a BJP leader calling for violence against Muslims. The riots left at least 53 people dead, the majority of whom were Muslims, and over 200 injured. Many of the victims were burnt alive, while others were hacked to death. The Indian government’s response to the riots was slow and inadequate, with allegations of police complicity in the violence.
The situation in India has alarmed experts, with some warning of the possibility of genocide against Muslims. The UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, has expressed his concern over the situation, stating that “there are clear early warning signs of the risk of genocide against the Muslim population in India.” He has called on the Indian government to take urgent action to prevent further violence and ensure the protection of minorities.
The warning signs of genocide are evident in India’s increasing dehumanization of Muslims. They are routinely referred to as “terrorists,” “cockroaches,” and “infiltrators.” Muslim-owned businesses are vandalized and burned, while Muslim neighborhoods are attacked and destroyed. Hate speech against Muslims is ubiquitous on social media, with hashtags like #HitlerWasRight and #BoycottMuslims trending on Twitter. The normalization of hate speech and violence against Muslims is a chilling reminder of the build-up to past genocides.
The international community is responsible for acting in the face of such atrocities. However, India’s economic and geopolitical significance has led many countries to turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses being committed against its Muslim population. The international community’s silence has only emboldened the BJP government and its supporters.
The ongoing genocide against Muslims in India is a human rights catastrophe that demands urgent attention. It is a reminder that protecting human rights is a universal responsibility that must always be upheld. As the world looks on, it is crucial that we do not forget the human cost of this violence. Muslim families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and their livelihoods taken away. Children have been left orphaned, and women have been subjected to unspeakable acts of violence. The trauma inflicted on these communities will last for generations.
The Indian government must take immediate action to address the situation and ensure the safety of all its citizens. This includes holding those responsible for the violence accountable, dismantling extremist groups, and enacting policies that protect the rights of minorities. It also requires an end to the demonization of Muslims and a commitment to promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.
The international community also has a critical role to play. Countries must condemn the violence and pressure the Indian government to uphold its commitment to human rights. This includes imposing targeted sanctions on those responsible for the violence and suspending arms sales to India until it takes meaningful steps to address the situation.
As we mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, let us not forget that slavery and genocide are not relics of the past but ongoing tragedies that continue to devastate communities around the world. It is our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with those persecuted and work towards a world where human rights are upheld for all.
- BJP’s Reign of Terror and Intolerance - 02/04/2023
- Genocide of Muslims in India: A Human Rights Catastrophe Unfolding - 01/04/2023
