Surge in Hate Crimes Against Muslims Across India Documented in April 2025
April 2025 witnessed a disturbing rise in hate crimes against Muslims throughout India, with incidents ranging from physical assaults and communal violence to discriminatory detentions and demolitions of religious sites, Muslim Mirror reported. These events highlight increasing communal tensions and challenges faced by the Muslim community.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, a 13-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed by minors for refusing to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” underscoring religious intolerance in the region. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district, a Muslim youth was brutally assaulted for the same reason. Communal clashes erupted in Rajasthan’s Devgarh Mandaria after a Ram Navami rally chanted inflammatory slogans targeting Muslims.
Several incidents involved law enforcement actions perceived as biased. In Bihar’s Mokama, 32 Muslim madrasa students were detained for over 14 hours over suspicions linked to their religious attire. In Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of Muslims faced police cases for peacefully protesting the Waqf Amendment Bill by wearing black armbands.
Religious sites also came under threat. A 50-year-old mosque in Faridabad was demolished despite ongoing legal proceedings, while a historical shrine at Dehradun’s Government Doon Medical College was razed, prompting demands for investigations. In Uttarakhand, a dargah was demolished early morning citing encroachment.
Discriminatory practices extended to employment and public services. A Muslim lineman in Saharanpur was dismissed for waving the Palestine flag, and a bus driver in Karnataka was suspended after offering namaz on duty. In Kolkata, a pregnant Muslim woman alleged denial of medical treatment due to her religion.
Hate speech and provocative acts further inflamed tensions. Baba Ramdev’s controversial remarks linking competitor products to mosque funding, inflammatory slogans during Ram Navami processions in Mumbai, and provocative videos targeting Bengali Muslims in Uttarakhand contributed to a charged atmosphere.
Several arrests were made related to social media posts supporting Palestinian causes and criticizing Israeli products, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions impacting local communal relations.
These incidents collectively spotlight the urgent need for stronger protective measures, impartial law enforcement, and community dialogue to address growing violence and discrimination against Muslims in India.
