Human Rights Violations Against Muslims in India: Concerns at Home and Abroad

In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the treatment of Muslims in India, with various human rights violations coming to light. These issues have attracted both domestic and international attention, raising important questions about the state of civil and political rights in the country.

Public Punishments and Violence

The past decade has seen a rise in incidents that highlight the persecution faced by Muslims in India. Some of the most alarming include:

Public Flogging

In October 2022, the public flogging of Muslim men in Gujarat, India, made headlines worldwide. The men, accused of causing disturbances during a Hindu festival, were flogged in a brutal and public demonstration. This incident, caught on video and widely circulated, brought to light the severe punishments faced by Muslims in India without due process. Human Rights Watch has condemned this as a troubling message about the treatment of Muslims in the country.

Destruction of Property

Communal clashes have frequently resulted in the destruction of Muslim property. In Madhya Pradesh, for instance, homes and businesses owned by Muslims were demolished without legal justification, often following accusations of offenses during festivals. It is concerning to note that these actions often target Muslim properties while nearby Hindu properties remain untouched, underscoring a bias in law enforcement.

Discriminatory Policies

The passage of discriminatory laws has further exacerbated the situation:

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

Introduced in December 2019, the CAA has been heavily criticized as it allows non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries to obtain citizenship more easily. However, it explicitly excludes Muslims, raising fears about the potential statelessness of millions. The discriminatory nature of this law has raised significant concerns both domestically and internationally.

Restrictions on Religious Practices

There have also been efforts to restrict the religious practices of Muslims. For example, bans on wearing hijabs in educational institutions have been upheld by courts. While these restrictions impact the rights of Muslim women to education and full participation in society, they are indicative of broader challenges faced by the community.

The Rise in Hate Crimes and State Complicity

The past few years have also seen an increase in hate crimes against Muslims. These crimes are often fueled by inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders and are carried out by vigilante groups. For example, in 2023 alone, reports indicated that at least 32 Muslim men were killed by radical Hindu groups. In many cases, the state has been complicit in these acts of violence, with political leaders failing to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric, which only serves to exacerbate communal tensions.

International Response

The international community has taken notice of these human rights violations. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for immediate action from the Indian government to address these discriminatory practices and ensure the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

These issues continue to attract scrutiny from both domestic and international institutions alike, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the growing concerns about human rights in India.

References:

Human Rights Watch (2021) Kalidasan, A. (2021). IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies Gunawan, Y. Ilham, Mulloh, A.F., Syamsu, A.P. (2024). Yuridika Amnesty International (2024)