India’s Muslims Face Escalating Mob Violence and Systemic Discrimination
India is grappling with a disturbing surge in mob violence targeting its Muslim minority, often fueled by unverified accusations, alongside broader patterns of discrimination and legal challenges.
Two recent incidents in late May 2025 exemplify this trend. In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, four Muslim men were brutally attacked by cow vigilantes over baseless claims of beef smuggling, with their vehicle set ablaze, Muslim Mirror reported. A forensic report later confirmed the meat was not beef, yet the attack marked the second on this group in 15 days. Days later, in Vijay Nagar near Delhi, a Muslim grocery shop owner was assaulted by a mob over similar unconfirmed allegations of selling cow meat.
These incidents are part of a chilling pattern of mob lynchings that has escalated significantly since 2014, with Hindu right-wing groups frequently targeting Muslims and Dalits over alleged cow slaughter or beef possession. A 2019 report documented 44 cow-related lynchings between 2015-2018, with 36 Muslim victims. Critically, forensic evidence in numerous cases, including Dadri (2015), Seoni (2019), and Aligarh (2025), has consistently debunked these allegations, exposing the communal prejudice driving the violence.
The atmosphere is further inflamed by explicit rhetoric from political figures. Just before Eid-al-Azha, a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh publicly called for “shooting” Muslim shopkeepers if they evaded inspection, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation for inciting violence. This type of speech is seen as contributing to a climate of fear and division.
Adding to the systemic challenges, the Delhi High Court recently issued a crucial stay order on demolition notices by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department. These notices targeted over 100 homes and shops, primarily in Jamia Nagar’s Muradi Road and Khijar Baba Colony, a predominantly Muslim area in Delhi, just days before Eid-ul-Azha. Residents argued they were not given adequate notice or due process. This judicial intervention, while a temporary reprieve, highlights ongoing concerns about arbitrary government actions and threats to the livelihoods and homes of the Muslim community, underscoring the broader pattern of mistreatment and discrimination they face in India.
