Shaheer Ahmed
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”
In the world that we live in, human rights advocates are more than human rights violators. But the violations are carried out to the extent that it overshadows the voices of human rights promoters. And at many instances especially in the 21st century, you’ll come across a category of human rights advocates for whom human rights mean ‘rights granted to only humans of certain skin tone and eye color’ beside them no other human or even if they considered them human are entitled to any right. This attitude has continuously been shown toward the rise of Indian atrocities against Muslims in India. Is this what the 21st-century secular state looks like?
A Resolution To Curb Islamophobia Tabled By Pakistan In UN
Hindutva
As the incumbent Indian government BJP took charge in 2014, the first thing it did was to enforce the radical ideology of Hindutva. This ideology is similar to White Supremacy. Hindutva advocates the creation of a state based on Hindu values. Over the years this ideology took more and more radical shape. The proponents of Hindutva want to enforce the ideology over India first and then over the region. But with Muslims in India, the Hindutva real essence was getting compromised. This led the far-right groups in India to commit inhumane acts against the Muslims in India. Though other minorities are also being targeted, but the most brutal of acts are being carried out against Muslims.
Rise of Indian Atrocities
If we are not mistaken, India was or maybe is a secular state. Last we checked; we couldn’t find an ounce of secularism but it emphasizes being a secular state. A secular state that professes neutrality in the religious matters of the state. India seems to be following the definition religiously. Isn’t it? But that’s what India is doing but what about the world? The human rights adherents? Why have they turned a blind eye to religious-based violence against Muslims?
75 years of hardships, violence, insults, etc. incurred by Kashmiris and Indian Muslims, and they still do not qualify the criteria for you to condemn these atrocities? Nowadays, things have gotten worse. Muslims are threatened and are being subjected to violence openly. The far-right politicians, Hindu nationalists, and religious leaders are using hate speech and inciting hate against the Muslims.
A far-right senior member of an Indian party said “If 100 of us become soldiers and are prepared to kill 2 million (Muslims), then we will win … protect India, and make it a Hindu nation.” These sorts of statements are being passed on to the Indians. Imagine how the locals must be executing the narratives of their leaders?
Hate Speech and its effects
The hate speech used against Muslims during Indian festivals, political speeches, and across different platforms is pushing Muslims to an edge. Due to this Muslims in areas West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat are subjected to constant violence. Many videos have surfaced showing locals raising slogans outside mosques, threatening Muslims, etc.
Thread of reports of violence and provocation on #RamNavami from different parts of the country
1) Khargone, Madhya Pradeshhttps://t.co/voEFjWhD6I
— Fatima Khan (@khanthefatima) April 11, 2022
People are seen climbing the mosques and plantings flags and raising slogans. While the rest of the mob cheered and chanted. The police that was there to stop these vicious acts were seen supporting the mob. A resident of Khargone, witness to these atrocities told that “a mosque in the Sarafa Bazar area was set on fire by a Hindu mob on Sunday night during the Ram Navmi procession.”
It was reported that more than 10 houses were set on fire in Khargone. During the riot, the preparators and the minorities indulged in a scuffle. Though the authorities took action against the incident but not against the preparators but the Muslims. The very next day of the riots, the authorities bulldozed around 16 houses and 29 shops of Muslims even though the cases lodged against them were not even processed by the court yet.
Shops that are part of Talab Chowk Jama Masjid's structure in Khargone, MP being demolished right now! pic.twitter.com/qLmJNmHPfI
— Sharjeel Usmani (@SharjeelUsmani) April 11, 2022
Many Muslims condemned the demolition. Asaduddin Owaisi a parliamentarian said “Under what law the government of Madhya Pradesh has demolished houses of the Muslim community? It clearly shows (chief minister’s) biased attitude towards Muslim minority.”
This is not some war-ridden country where the parties are fighting to get authority over the territory. It is a situation in a country where the people of a specific religion are being targeted. The Indian atrocities are taking the shape of planned genocide. Are we waiting for another holocaust? What more the world wants to see to start condemning the religious-based violence against Indian Muslims.
