Rising Concerns Over Islamophobia, Targeting of Muslims, and Democratic Backsliding in India

Multiple recent incidents across India have raised concerns about growing Islamophobia, the targeting of Muslims, and a shrinking democratic space.

At a recent religious gathering in Meerut, Hindu seer Swami Rambhadracharya made Islamophobic remarks directed at Muslim women and the family system, sparking outrage among community leaders, according to Muslim Mirror. Rights groups and commentators warned that such rhetoric deepens social divisions and normalizes hate speech.

Meanwhile, in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, police booked 200 Muslims for holding a peaceful protest against a derogatory social media post on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure family). The demonstrators had gathered to demand action against the offensive remarks, but authorities responded by filing cases against them instead. Community members described the move as a double standard in law enforcement, as the original offensive post went unaddressed, Muslim Mirror reported.

Separately, The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has raised alarm over a “deepening assault” on democracy and secularism under the BJP-led government, citing repression in Jammu and Kashmir, targeted harassment of Bengali-speaking Muslims, and widespread erosion of citizens’ rights. The party condemned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s communal rhetoric and criticized ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza.

According to Clarion India, the CPI(M) accused the government of authoritarianism, communal polarization, and pro-corporate policies harming workers and public enterprises. It highlighted the shrinking democratic space in J&K since Article 370’s abrogation and condemned police actions against Bengali Muslims branded as “Bangladeshis.” The party linked these to broader communal tensions, including Assam’s eviction drives.

The statement also condemned rising violence against women, Dalits, and Adivasis, and warned against electoral roll manipulations and laws that could suppress opposition. It called for unity among secular forces and announced campaigns against US tariffs, corporate-communal nexus, and in solidarity with Palestine, portraying India as facing converging threats of authoritarianism, corporate plunder, and communal hatred.