India: Anti-Muslim Sentiment Rises in Himachal Pradesh

A series of anti-Muslim rallies in India’s Himachal Pradesh have created a climate of fear among the state’s Muslim population, particularly in Shimla, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.

Tensions escalated after a clash in August over wage payments, leading Hindu groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), to demand the demolition of a mosque. Protests have since called for an economic boycott against Muslims, urging locals to avoid hiring them and renting to them.

In response to rising tensions, the Congress-led state government mandated that restaurants display employee names, allegedly to help customers avoid Muslim workers, but later retracted the order. Many Muslim residents report being pressured to vacate their homes and businesses, with some fleeing the state.

On October 5, the Shimla Municipal Court ordered the demolition of unauthorized sections of the mosque, further deepening divisions within the community. Local Hindu groups assert their actions aim to raise awareness, while many Muslims express a sense of hopelessness regarding future safety and stability in the region.