Qaisar Mansoor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of encouraging the persecution of Muslims and other minorities by hardline Hindu nationalists since coming to power in 2014.
The BJP and its ideological parent, the far-right Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have warned Hindus about religious conversions to Islam and Christianity, and called for action to prevent a “demographic imbalance” in the world’s second most populous nation,
Violent attacks on minorities have become a new norm in India during Hindu festivals. Many incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism during the celebration of Hindu festivals have been reported in recent years.
Prime Minister Modi unleashed the Hindu extremists to persecute and restrict Muslims in various ways. The right-wing Hindus have become a threat to Muslims which is manifested in the killing of hundreds of Muslims on charges of eating/slaughtering beef, assaulting on charges of converting Hindus to Islam, tempting Hindu women to marry Muslims, opposing the veil Muslim students, banning the sale of halal meat, removing the Islamic names of cities, villages & streets and placing Hindu names instead. Violence against Muslims is politically motivated and part of the electoral strategy of Hindu nationalist political parties such as BJP. BJPs’ agenda is to turn officially secular and pluralistic India into an ethnic Hindu nation.
Recently, in Karnataka, Hindu right group marched the Ganesh festival procession in front of “Mahabos” Masjid, playing loud music, threatening the genocide of Muslims. Song was played during Ganesh Chaturthi procession in front of Gulbarga Mahabos Masjid. Some of the lyrics say, “We will wash this land with blood, we will tell you your destiny. Khoon Se Iss Dharthi Ko Ham Nehlayenge, Hum Tujhko Teri Awkat Batayenge.”
According to Indian journalist Muhammad Irshad, the ceremony was led by ruling BJP official, Chandu Patil, breaking city laws by turning on loudspeakers for the celebration. This year, like other previous years, has been no exception. Whether it’s a Hindu religious procession for Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, or Saraswati Puja, extremist Hindus haven’t missed an opportunity to cause destruction. Activists have demanded the City Police to arrest the party organizers and international human rights organizations to intervene to protect Muslims.
