The Modi Government’s policies in India have faced significant criticism for escalating tensions between the Hindu majority and minority groups, particularly Muslims. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of exploiting religious anxieties to secure the support of the Hindu majority, while selective legal measures like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have been criticized for excluding Muslims from Indian citizenship. The Indian Government has also been accused of undermining civil freedoms and repressing dissent, both domestically and internationally, using the intelligence apparatus to stifle opposition. International criticism has repeatedly highlighted India’s deteriorating human rights situation, particularly concerning Muslims and marginalized communities. The actions of the Modi Government threaten India’s secular character and its global standing, resulting in an increasingly polarized society both within India and among its diaspora.

The Treatment of Minorities

The treatment of minorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has garnered considerable attention and condemnation, both at home and abroad. While Modi has led India toward substantial economic stability and improved its global status, there is growing concern that his leadership has come at a high cost to the nation’s social fabric, especially its secular and democratic roots. This article explores the various dimensions of this issue, examining the Modi Administration’s discriminatory policies and actions that have exacerbated tensions between the Hindu majority and other minority groups, particularly Muslims.

Hindutva and Majoritarianism: A Shift in Indian Politics

Central to the criticism of the Modi Government is its endorsement of Hindutva, an ideology that seeks to achieve Hindu cultural supremacy in India. The BJP has long been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing nationalist organization that promotes Hindu dominance in Indian culture. While Modi has often spoken about India’s unity in diversity, his government’s actions reveal a different reality in which the rights and safety of minorities, especially Muslims, are increasingly jeopardized.

The BJP’s electoral victories in 2014, 2019, and 2024 solidified its position as India’s leading political party but also marked a clear turn toward majoritarianism. Many critics argue that the BJP has adopted measures aimed at securing Hindu support by exploiting religious anxieties and fostering a sense of “otherness” among India’s 200 million Muslims. During Modi’s tenure, there has been a significant increase in communal language, often tacitly or explicitly condoned by BJP officials and their affiliates.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) & National Register of Citizens (NRC)

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in December 2019, is one of the most contentious laws in this context. It provides expedited citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Modi Administration has framed the law as a humanitarian effort to protect persecuted religious minorities; however, its exclusion of Muslims raises significant concerns. Critics argue that the CAA undermines India’s secular Constitution by making religion a criterion for citizenship.

The law becomes even more problematic when considered alongside the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), which would require individuals to prove their Indian citizenship. In Assam, where the NRC has already been implemented, approximately two million individuals, many of whom are Muslims, have been rendered stateless. Human rights organizations warn that if the NRC is rolled out nationwide, millions of Muslims could be disenfranchised or potentially interned in detention camps.

Rising Islamophobia & Mob Violence

Beyond legislative measures, anti-Muslim sentiment has surged alarmingly under Modi’s leadership, fueled by both state and non-state actors. “Cow vigilantism” serves as a disturbing example of this trend. Since the BJP came to power, there has been a worrying increase in lynchings and mob violence against Muslims and low-caste Hindu Dalits accused of killing cows or consuming beef. These attacks, often carried out by self-proclaimed cow protection groups, have gone largely unpunished, fostering a climate of impunity for the offenders.

Modi has faced criticism for his silence or delayed response to such atrocities. When he has spoken out, his remarks have frequently been interpreted as insufficient, failing to address the growing divides or hold those responsible for hate crimes accountable. The lack of decisive action against violent vigilante groups has led to accusations that the BJP Government is complicit in creating an environment hostile to minorities.

Erosion of Press Freedom & Civil Liberties

The Modi Government has also been accused of undermining civil liberties and repressing dissent, often targeting those who protest against the unjust treatment of minorities. Journalists, activists, and intellectuals who criticize government policies or highlight increasing intolerance have faced harassment, intimidation, and even imprisonment. The arrest of journalist Siddique Kappan, who was en route to investigate the gang rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh, exemplifies the state’s harsh treatment of dissenting voices.

The Government’s control over the narrative extends to India’s media, with several outlets accused of conforming to the official line or, worse, actively contributing to the vilification of minorities. Television channels, especially those sympathetic to the BJP, have aired discussions and news that incite communal conflict and portray Muslims as a threat to national security or public order. This media landscape has contributed to an increasingly polarized society in which hate speech has become normalized and accountability is lacking.

International Criticism and Diplomatic Fallout

The global community has not remained silent regarding India’s treatment of minorities under Modi’s administration. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the United Nations (UN) have consistently highlighted India’s deteriorating human rights situation, particularly concerning Muslims and other marginalized communities. For the first time since 2004, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that India be designated a “country of particular concern” due to serious violations of religious freedom.

India’s foreign image has also suffered, particularly in Muslim-majority nations with which it has significant commercial ties. Countries such as Turkey, Malaysia, and Iran have publicly criticized the Modi Administration’s handling of communal violence and discriminatory laws. While the BJP and Modi have maintained solid diplomatic relationships with major world powers like the United States, international criticism of India’s domestic policies continues to grow.

The Impact on India’s Secular Identity

Perhaps the most alarming consequence of the Modi Government’s actions is the erosion of India’s secular identity. Since gaining independence, India has prided itself on being a diverse democracy that treats all religions equally. This constitutionally protected principle is currently under serious threat. The BJP’s promotion of Hindutva ideology and marginalization of minorities jeopardize the delicate balance of religious coexistence that has long been a cornerstone of Indian society.

The treatment of minorities in India today transcends domestic concerns; it has profound implications for the country’s democratic health and global reputation. While Modi’s supporters argue that his policies are essential for national security and economic prosperity, the human cost of these policies must be critically examined. The Modi Government’s blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of its minority communities creates a dangerous precedent that could irreversibly alter the character of the Indian state.

Conclusion

As India moves forward, its leaders will face the challenge of reconciling the competing aspirations of nationalism and plurality. However, the current trajectory of the Modi Government suggests that the country is veering toward further fragmentation rather than unity. If India is to live up to its democratic principles, it must find ways to guarantee the rights of all its citizens, regardless of religion or background. Failure to do so will exacerbate domestic tensions and diminish India’s global standing.