Rising Hate Crimes Against Muslims in India: March 2025 Highlights
India witnessed a disturbing surge in hate crimes targeting Muslims in March 2025, with incidents ranging from physical assaults to institutional discrimination and communal violence, according to several sources, including Muslim Mirror, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express. These events underscore a growing trend of intolerance and highlight the urgent need for accountability and measures to ensure communal harmony.
In Uttar Pradesh, a young Muslim man, Shamim, was brutally attacked during Holi celebrations in Baghpat on March 14. Similarly, in Varanasi, two Muslim brothers were assaulted by a Hindutva group while collecting donations for the festival. In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, two men accused of cow slaughter were paraded and beaten by police, further exacerbating tensions.
Institutional actions also fueled communal discord. In Uttarakhand, 136 unregistered madrassas were sealed, while in Prayagraj, the dargah of Ghazi Miyan was locked following complaints from Hindu activists. In Maharashtra, a mob attacked the Hazrat Ahmed Chishti Dargah, replacing its green flag with a saffron one, symbolizing the growing influence of Hindutva groups.
Social media played a significant role in escalating tensions. In Burhanpur, a teenager’s inflammatory post sparked protests, while in Hamirpur, a 71-year-old Muslim woman was booked for offering namaz in a government office. These incidents highlight the dangerous impact of misinformation and hate speech online.
On Tuesday, March 25, hundreds of Hindus vandalized Muslim-owned shops in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, following unsupported claims of stone pelting during the Ram Navami procession. Police confirmed on Wednesday that no stone pelting occurred, debunking the misleading information that incited the violence. A viral video showed a mob attacking shops with saffron flags and looting goods.
Authorities arrested around 200 individuals, including BJP leaders and RSS workers, for conspiracy and vandalism. Deputy Police Commissioner Shrawan Kumar Singh stated, “Allegations of stone pelting were false. We are investigating how these rumours spread. No one was hurt during the attacks.”
The Uttar Pradesh Congress criticized the Yogi government, blaming communal politics for the incident. They highlighted a video showing procession participants vandalizing a Muslim area. Kanpur police registered 9 FIRs related to mischief during the procession, including playing DJs above permitted volume. Reports were filed in areas like Gaganganj, Moolganj, Chakeri, and Panki. Police are searching for a YouTuber accused of spreading the stone pelting rumour.
These incidents reflect a disturbing trend of rising intolerance and violence against Muslims in India, with authorities often accused of complicity or inaction. Reportedly, no strict actions were taking by police against the oppressors, highlighting the double standard policy of BjP rule in India. Past incidents reveal that when a Muslim is booked his home is bulldozed even before conviction or trial but if the mob or person is Hindu they are set free.
