India Faces Rising Communal Tensions Amid Terror Attack and Mob Lynching Incidents

The April-22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killed 26 people, mostly tourists from other states. India holds Pakistan responsible for the attack, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi granting the military full authority to respond. Pakistan denies involvement, alleging India plans a military strike. The US has urged both nations to de-escalate tensions and cooperate on investigations.

Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Thursday closed over 1,000 Quranic schools amid fears of possible military action by India in response to a deadly attack last week.

Meanwhile, communal violence within India has intensified concerns about the safety of Muslims. On April 27, Ashraf, a mentally unstable Muslim man originally from Kerala, was lynched by a mob in Mangalore. Despite initial classification as an unnatural death, witness testimony revealed the brutal nature of the killing. Autopsy reports showed Ashraf suffered severe injuries from blunt force trauma inflicted by cricket bats and wooden logs. Twenty suspects have been arrested, including members of a Hindutva-affiliated group.

The incident exposed police negligence: three officers from Mangalore rural police were suspended for failing to prevent the lynching or promptly report it to higher authorities. The police initially ignored witness accounts and delayed action, which sparked public outrage.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, a PIL seeking a judicial probe was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which criticized the petitioners for demoralizing security forces during a sensitive time. The court emphasized that retired judges lack investigative expertise and urged citizens to support efforts against terrorism.

These events underscore the precarious situation for Muslims in India, caught amid rising communal violence, inadequate police response, and geopolitical tensions with Pakistan.