On 19 April 2024, during the polling in Manipur, cadres of Arambai Tenggol, a BJP private Militia, were spotted with guns. They are behind much of the recent violence there and now they tried to rig the election for BJP and in response angry voters destroyed the EVMs.
Amidst ongoing elections in India, recent occurrences of communal violence, conversion laws, prejudice, and persecution are eroding India’s democratic reputation as it gains prominence on the international platform. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Annual Report, 2023, sheds light on India’s infringements of religious freedom and human rights within its territory, as the global community continues to confront these pressing concerns.
According to CNA Insider, the rise of fake news and propaganda in India has reached alarming levels. Anil Kumar, who works in BJP’s IT cell, hires various artists to make videos praising Modi and against the opposition. As Statista Survey 2023 highlights, the spread of fake news and misinformation is the biggest threat in India because fake news has become an industry in India. Hate content spread by the Modi government has now taken the form of religious polarization and extremism resulting in deaths. In India religion has been weaponized as a source of disinformation to target minorities.
Moreover, the Guardian Report on the Indian Election shows a bleak picture of the Modi government, highlighting concerns about democracy, economic issues, and social tensions. The freezing of opposition party accounts, the arrest of all key opposition leaders, the use of the prosecution as a weapon, and the BJP receiving Rs 1.25 billion aid cannot be a coincidence. Modi is unpopular in South India where regional and cultural identity is prioritized over Hinduism. In areas where Modi’s popularity is low, the laws of Hinduism are enforced through violence and terrorism.
In India, a multitude of issues have come to light, exposing infringements and atrocities that impede the complete exercise of religious liberty for its entire populace. The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh declared the Madrasa Act of 2004 to be unlawful, as effectively outlawing Islamic institutions. As a result, the state government was ordered to relocate children enrolled in Islamic education to mainstream institutions.
The rise of cow vigilante acts, aimed at safeguarding cows, has had a disproportionate impact on minority groups, particularly Muslims and Dalits. Data indicates that incidents of cow vigilante actions led to around 50 deaths between 2016 and 2020. The numerical values have experienced significant growth in recent years. The Human Rights Watch Report 2023 reveals that a total of 280 individuals sustained injuries as a result of over 100 incidents throughout this period. The prevalence of mob lynching, harassment, and intimidation is eroding the fundamental pillars of Indian secularist culture as India claims.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly expressed its concerns about India’s intentional persecution of religious minorities, hence India must be designated as a Country of Particular Concern. As a result, the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 would apply several economic sanctions, as India contends that diversity in culture and religion is what makes a democracy strong. As India’s election unfolds, the future of the country’s secular tradition lies in limbo. The dominance of Hindu nationalism in politics has raised questions about India’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Muslims face persistent legislative threats. The Citizenship Amendment Act’s adoption in India has sparked additional debates about religious freedom and pluralism inside the country. CAA, which expedites the process of granting citizenship to non-Muslim individuals migrating to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, poses a potential risk of marginalizing and disenfranchising Muslims already within India. The implementation of this act, together with the establishment of the National Register for Citizens (NRC), has generated concerns regarding the marginalization of Muslims in social, political, and economic domains. These laws erode the fundamental values of peaceful coexistence, egalitarianism, and liberty protected by both the Indian Constitution and global human rights norms.
Furthermore, there is a very alarming matter of the biased involvement of law enforcement and municipal government in targeting Muslims and minority groups in India. Law enforcement agencies exhibit bias and apathy in their policies, so falling short in their ability to offer sufficient protection to vulnerable individuals. Under Modi’s ethno-nationalist policies, the Indian government is engaging in structural violence and fostering a culture of impunity against Muslims.
The restriction of the Islamic headscarf in educational institutions has recently engendered tensions and riots in southern India, mostly involving Hindus and Muslims. Some states governed by BJP have employed bulldozers to dismantle the residences and businesses of Muslim demonstrators, as a kind of collective retribution. Certain Hindu organizations have claimed ownership of specific Islamic structures, arguing that these locations were built on temples during the era of Muslim rule. A notable illustration of this phenomenon is the demolition of the Babri masjid and the subsequent construction of the temple.
After two terms under Modi’s leadership, there are growing concerns about the mistreatment and discrimination faced by religious minority groups, particularly Muslims as mentioned above. If Modi were to secure a third term, there is a risk that these issues could escalate, further endangering the lives and rights of minorities. Then there’s a risk of India transitioning into a Hindu state, potentially leading to the marginalization or disappearance of the Muslim community.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly expressed its concerns about India’s intentional persecution of religious minorities, hence India must be designated as a Country of Particular Concern. As a result, the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 would apply several economic sanctions, as India contends that diversity in culture and religion is what makes a democracy strong. As India’s election unfolds, the future of the country’s secular tradition lies in limbo. The dominance of Hindu nationalism in politics has raised questions about India’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
