Rise of government-supported anti-Muslim sentiments in India fuels protests, unrest among Muslim community
Anti-Muslim sentiments in India are escalating, prompting protests and unrest among the Muslim community in various regions.
On Wednesday, protests erupted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, as members of various Muslim organizations voiced their outrage over the closure of madrasas and mosques by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Muslim Mirror reported. Protestors gathered outside the district magistrate’s office, condemning the closures as unjustified, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Tensions escalated when police intervened, detaining several demonstrators, which further inflamed the situation.
Naeem Qureshi, president of one of the protesting organizations, criticized the timing of the closures, asserting that no prior notice was given and no legal explanation provided for sealing the religious institutions. “This is a clear case of discrimination,” he stated, demanding immediate explanations and the reopening of the madrasas and mosques. The local authorities defended their actions, citing legal violations concerning the construction of these institutions.
This incident in Uttarakhand mirrors a broader trend of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in India, exacerbated by government actions and societal tensions. In Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, a controversy unfolded when a mosque’s imam announced Iftar via loudspeaker, leading to protests from a Hindutva outfit. Police intervened, arresting nine individuals, including the imam, and removing the loudspeaker, citing public order concerns. Local Muslim leaders condemned these actions as discriminatory, questioning why similar announcements from other religious groups were not met with the same scrutiny.
In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, a group of Muslims faced an attack while returning from prayers, highlighting the growing insecurity within the community. Eyewitnesses reported that masked attackers targeted individuals wearing skull caps and demanded they chant “Jai Shri Ram” at knifepoint. Despite identifying the attackers, community members expressed frustration over police inaction, reflecting a pervasive sense of vulnerability among Muslims in India.
The Modi government has been criticized for fostering an environment where anti-Muslim sentiments thrive. Discriminatory policies, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, which excludes Muslims from fast-tracked citizenship, and the implementation of anti-conversion laws, have heightened fears of marginalization. Reports indicate that police bias against Muslims is prevalent, with many officers showing reluctance to intervene in crimes against them.
As protests and unrest continue, Muslim leaders and activists call for accountability and justice. They emphasize the need for a peaceful atmosphere during Ramadan and urge authorities to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations. The situation remains tense, with the Muslim community seeking reassurance that their voices will be heard and their rights respected amidst rising discrimination.
