India Faces Rising Scrutiny Over Muslim Rights as UN Flags Assam Discrimination, States Push Contested Laws

India is facing renewed domestic and international scrutiny over the treatment of its Muslim population, following a UN rights body’s concerns over alleged discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, and the introduction of a contentious property law in Rajasthan.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has raised serious concerns over what it described as racial discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, Maktoob Media reported. The UN body cited exclusions during the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process, forced evictions, hate speech, and alleged excessive use of force by law enforcement. In a January 19, 2026 letter to India’s permanent mission in Geneva, the Committee said it had received insufficient information from New Delhi addressing allegations first raised in May 2025.

CERD highlighted reports that Bengali-speaking Muslims were disproportionately excluded from the NRC due to procedural hurdles, stricter verification standards, and their classification as “non-original inhabitants,” a term it said lacks clear legal definition. The Committee also flagged eviction drives that have displaced thousands without adequate rehabilitation, as well as claims of rising hate speech and violence, particularly around the 2024 elections.

Separately, in Rajasthan, the BJP-led state government has cleared a draft law empowering authorities to declare localities as “disturbed areas” and regulate property transactions. While the government says the bill aims to protect residents during unrest, Muslim organisations, opposition parties, and legal experts warn it could be used to restrict Muslims and Adivasis from buying property, citing vague references to “demographic imbalance” and broad discretionary powers.

Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, a Muslim cleric from Bihar was reportedly harassed and threatened after Hindu militant groups objected to him teaching basic Quran lessons to Muslim children in a village near Rishikesh. A video of the confrontation circulated online, prompting police to initiate an inquiry. Rights advocates say the incident reflects a broader pattern of increasing scrutiny and intimidation surrounding Muslim religious practices.