Discrimination against Muslims in India has been a recurring issue in recent years, manifesting in various forms, from communal violence to legal and social marginalization. Despite India’s constitution promising equality and religious freedom, the Muslim minority has increasingly faced challenges related to their religious identity, including physical violence, discrimination in employment, and social ostracism.
A concerning trend in recent months has been the targeted demolition of Muslim-owned properties. These demolitions often occur in the wake of communal violence, with authorities acting swiftly against Muslim properties, without adequate due process. In January 2024, after a violent confrontation during a Hindu rally in Mumbai, authorities demolished several Muslim-owned shops, including street vendors’ stalls, allegedly without proper notices. This practice has been widely condemned by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, which highlights the discriminatory nature of these demolitions
Moreover, disputes over Muslim places of worship have been escalating. The ongoing legal challenges to mosques, such as the Gyanvapi Mosque and Shahi Idgah Mosque, reflect a broader issue of Hindu nationalist groups seeking to reclaim land they claim was originally Hindu. These moves, supported in some instances by the state, have ignited tensions and fear among Muslim communities. The controversial 2019 Supreme Court decision regarding the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute, and its potential implications on other religious sites, has further exacerbated the feeling of insecurity.
These actions are part of a broader political climate shaped by rising Hindu nationalism, primarily promoted by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and other policies have contributed to a perception among many Muslims that they are increasingly being treated as second-class citizens. The rhetoric surrounding India’s identity as a Hindu-majority state has led to rising fears of disenfranchisement among Muslims and other religious minorities.
As India continues to grapple with these issues, human rights organizations and activists are calling for a stronger commitment to secularism and the protection of religious minorities. Efforts to address these challenges include legal reforms, education initiatives, and social activism to promote equality and mutual respect across religious lines. However, the current situation remains a significant concern for the Muslim community in India, with widespread calls for the government to reaffirm its commitment to the constitutional principles of religious freedom and equal rights.