Violence and Discrimination Against Muslims Highlight Rising Concerns Over Islamophobia in India and Abroad
A spate of violent incidents and official complaints in India and Australia have drawn renewed attention to the persistence of Islamophobia, as Muslims face physical assaults, mob lynching, and allegations of institutional bias.
More details in the following report:
In Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district, a Muslim family was brutally attacked by a group of men who stormed their home, according to Clarion India. The assailants reportedly beat family members with sticks, molested women in the household, and inflicted serious injuries. Victims said the attackers hurled communal slurs during the assault, which they believe was motivated by their religious identity. Police have registered a case, though the victims and rights groups have demanded stricter action and protection against recurring violence.
In a separate incident in Rajasthan, a Muslim man was lynched by vigilantes who accused him of cattle smuggling, according to Maktoob Media. The victim was assaulted by a mob that claimed to be defending cows, a pattern that has become increasingly common in parts of northern India. The man later succumbed to his injuries, and his family maintains he was targeted solely because of his faith. Several suspects have been detained, though rights activists argue that such violence persists due to inadequate deterrence and political impunity for self-styled “cow protection” groups.
Beyond India, concerns over anti-Muslim prejudice are also surfacing in Australia. The Hindu Council of Australia has been accused of Islamophobia in a complaint lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission, according to The Guardian. The complaint alleges that the council has promoted narratives hostile to Muslims and contributed to a climate of division within multicultural communities. While the council has denied the allegations, Muslim organisations say the matter underscores the growing need for accountability and safeguards against discriminatory rhetoric in public institutions.
Together, the incidents illustrate how Muslims across different regions are facing threats ranging from mob violence and gendered assaults to systemic bias. Rights groups warn that rising Islamophobia, if left unchecked, risks deepening communal divides and undermining social cohesion both in South Asia and globally.
