New Delhi: Muslims and Dalits in India have been facing existential threat as a result of systematic discrimination, prejudice and violence since the two communities have been the primary target of lynching by Hindu activists in the name of protecting cows and temples.
According to an analytical report since being reelected in 2019 with an even bigger majority, the Modi government has claimed a mandate to fulfill long-standing Hindu nationalist demands to further marginalise minorities in India. Yogi Adityanath, a militant Hindu monk, was appointed as chief minister of India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
The report revealed that the Citizenship Amendment Act, introduced by the Modi regime since its reelection, categorically violates the non-discriminatory spirit of India’s constitution by allowing persecuted Hindus, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan – but not persecuted Muslims – a fast-tracked route to citizenship.
Modi’s government has also promised a National Register of Citizens that will require Indians to provide documentary evidence of their citizenship. A version of this exercise was conducted in the state of Assam, with disastrous effects. About 1.9 million Assamese were declared non-citizens. Recently, around 800 families were forcibly evicted from their hometowns, and many were ruthlessly killed during protests in the State.
It is pertinent to mention here that Muslims in India have witnessed several communal riots since the country’s independence from the British rule. 1992 demolition of Babri Masjid, 2002 pogrom of Muslims in Gujarat, 2020 Delhi’s anti-Muslims riots are some of the glaring examples of communal violence in India. It added that Muslims and Dalits are facing existential threat in India under Modi. Persecution of Muslims, Christians and low-caste Hindus has increased manifold as RSS-backed BJP is pursuing a Hindu nationalist agenda.
The report further added that Indian Muslims are being killed and tortured on the pretext of eating beef or transporting cattle. Global experts on genocidal violence have warned that India is preparing for genocide of Muslims in India and occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The sad aspect of the story is the attackers enjoy widespread impunity under Modi’s India. Web Desk
