State-Sanctioned Persecution? The Systematic Marginalization of Indian Muslims

In recent years, India has witnessed a troubling rise in the persecution of its Muslim population, a development that has garnered both national and international attention. This escalation is deeply intertwined with the proliferation of Hindutva ideology, which emphasizes Hindu supremacy and seeks to redefine India’s secular framework.

One of the most contentious policies in this regard is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019. This legislation offers a pathway to Indian citizenship for refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, provided they are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, or Christians. Notably, it excludes Muslims from these provisions. Critics argue that this exclusion is discriminatory and undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Amnesty International has labeled the CAA as a blow to India’s constitutional values and inconsistent with international human rights obligations
The implementation of the CAA has sparked widespread protests across the country. Many fear that, in conjunction with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Act could render numerous Muslims stateless. The NRC requires individuals to provide documentation proving their citizenship—a process that many, especially those from marginalized communities, find challenging. While non-Muslims who fail to meet these requirements might still obtain citizenship through the CAA, Muslims do not have this safeguard, leading to concerns about potential disenfranchisement .

Beyond legislative measures, there has been a disturbing increase in violence against Muslims. Incidents of mob lynching, often under the pretext of cow protection, have become alarmingly frequent. For instance, in Haryana, a Muslim migrant worker named Sabir Malik was beaten to death by a Hindu mob on suspicion of eating beef. Subsequent investigations revealed he had not consumed beef, highlighting the baseless nature of such attacks. These vigilante groups operate with a sense of impunity, often sharing videos of their violent acts on social media platforms like Instagram to garner support and funding.
The rise in anti-Muslim sentiments is not confined to physical violence alone. Hate speech targeting minorities surged by 74% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to research by the India Hate Lab. Such rhetoric often emanates from political rallies, religious processions, and protests, further entrenching societal divisions.

The situation in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) is particularly concerning. Following the revocation of the region’s semi-autonomous status in August 2019, numerous reports of human rights violations have been reported. In a recent development, police raided bookstores in Srinagar, seizing books published by an affiliate of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a major Islamic organization. Critics argue that such actions suppress dissent and infringe upon cultural and religious freedoms.

Discrimination also permeates socio-economic spheres. In some regions, authorities have mandated that restaurants display the names of their owners and employees, ostensibly for security reasons, during Hindu festivals. However, this directive has led to discriminatory practices against Muslim restaurant owners, forcing some to change their establishments’ names or dismiss Muslim staff to avoid boycotts and police harassment. The pervasive nature of this discrimination has profound psychological impacts on the Muslim community. A survey revealed that 79% of India’s Muslims fear not only more violence but also continued government persecution. This climate of fear has led to increased segregation, with many Muslims relocating to predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods for safety. For example, following the 2020 riots in Delhi’s Shiv Vihar, numerous Muslim families moved to areas like Loni, seeking refuge from potential violence.

The international community has taken note of these developments. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted a concerning rise in anti-Muslim bigotry worldwide, criticizing discriminatory policies and violence against Muslims and their places of worship. Such global attention underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by Muslims in India.
In conclusion, the persecution of Muslims in India is a multifaceted issue, encompassing discriminatory legislation, physical violence, socio-economic marginalization, and cultural suppression. Addressing this crisis requires a concerted effort from national and international stakeholders to uphold the principles of equality, justice, and religious freedom.

Author’s Bio:

Hamnah Maryam holds an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies and focuses her research on security dynamics, strategic affairs, and regional geopolitics. Her academic work explores contemporary defence policies, conflict resolution, and the evolving security landscape in South Asia. She actively contributes to research publications and policy discussions, offering critical insights into defence strategies and geopolitical trends.