Since taking office in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have implemented a range of policies that have sparked significant debate regarding their effects on India’s minority communities. The implications of these actions for religious minorities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and others, have raised concerns about inclusivity, secularism, and communal harmony in a diverse nation.
The proposed implementation of the NRC, especially in Assam, has raised alarms among minority communities. While it is said that the NRC aims to document all legal citizens of India, there are concerns that the process may disproportionately affect Muslims, who might struggle to provide the necessary documentation. The combination of the NRC and CAA has intensified fears of statelessness among many.
Modi’s government has also promoted policies that favor Hindu cultural values, such as cow protection, which can disproportionately impact Muslim communities involved in the cattle trade. These policies have sometimes led to violence against minorities and fostered an atmosphere of intolerance. Under Modi’s leadership, instances of communal violence have increased, often fueled by hate speech and rhetoric from party leaders and affiliated groups.
The BJP has sought to reshape educational curricula to emphasize Hindu history and culture. This shift has raised concerns about the erasure of a pluralistic narrative in favor of a majoritarian one. The actions of Modi’s government have sparked intense public discourse, with many civil society groups, activists, and opposition parties strongly opposing policies perceived as discriminatory. Protests, often led by students and minority organizations, have called for a reaffirmation of India’s secular ethos and an end to communal politics.
Internationally, these developments have faced significant criticism. Human rights organizations and foreign governments have voiced concerns about the treatment of minorities in India, urging the Modi administration to uphold its commitments to equality and justice. Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, human rights violations against minority communities in India have come increasingly under scrutiny. The government’s policies and actions have raised serious concerns about the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and Dalits.
One of the most concerning trends during Modi’s tenure has been the rise in communal violence. High-profile incidents, such as the Delhi riots in February 2020, resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, primarily impacting Muslim communities.
Under Modi’s administration, there have been growing reports of violence and harassment targeting religious practices. The Modi administration has also faced criticism for its crackdown on dissent, particularly against activists and journalists who speak out against human rights violations. Numerous cases have emerged where activists advocating for minority rights have been arrested on charges ranging from sedition to terrorism. This suppression creates a chilling effect, discouraging individuals and organizations from advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
Concerns have also been raised about the government’s approach to education and cultural representation. Efforts to revise school curricula often emphasize Hindu achievements and narratives while downplaying the contributions of minorities, which can alienate minority students and foster an environment where they feel excluded from the national narrative.
In Indian-occupied Kashmir, human rights concerns have also intensified, especially since the BJP came to power in 2014. The region, with its long history of conflict and tension, has seen an escalation of violence and repression, alarming human rights organizations and the international community.
The conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has roots in the 1947 partition of India. Following the princely state’s forced accession to India, various political, social, and religious tensions emerged, resulting in several wars and ongoing insurgency. The situation worsened after the Indian government’s unilateral abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped the region of its special status and led to widespread unrest. Reports of violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir have surged under the Modi government, with security forces accused of using excessive force to suppress protests arising from perceived injustices and human rights violations. Encounters with freedom fighters have often resulted in civilian casualties, and the use of pellet guns, a contentious crowd control measure, has caused severe injuries, especially among young people.
Numerous organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented various human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in arbitrary detentions, with political leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens being held without formal charges.
The narrative put forth by Modi and his party has failed, and the people of India are fully aware of the BJP’s ulterior motives. The residents of Indian-occupied Kashmir have distanced themselves from this electoral spectacle and are calling for their right to self-determination. The international community should urge India to comply with UN resolutions regarding the right to self-determination for Kashmiris. The ultimate aspiration of the Kashmiri people is to join Pakistan, and this reality should be acknowledged by both India and the global community.
The harsh Public Safety Act (PSA) has been frequently employed to imprison individuals for extended periods without trial. Reports of torture and mistreatment in detention facilities have surfaced, with former detainees sharing their harrowing experiences. The government has enacted strict measures to control the flow of information, with internet shutdowns becoming common, particularly during times of unrest.
Journalists and media outlets face harassment and censorship, making it difficult to accurately report on the situation. Human rights defenders and activists in IIOJK have experienced increased scrutiny and harassment, often facing threats, intimidation, and legal action for speaking out against government policies and human rights abuses. The international community has voiced concerns about the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, with various countries and human rights organizations calling for investigations into these abuses. However, India’s diplomatic influence and strategic importance have often muted strong responses from global powers.
Traditionally, the Governor of Indian-occupied Kashmir acted as a representative of the President of India and held specific powers, including oversight of the state government. In recent years, particularly following constitutional changes by the central government, these powers have expanded significantly. The Governor now has enhanced legislative authority, allowing for greater control over local laws and policies. This shift enables the Governor to influence critical areas such as land use, public safety, and law enforcement, often sidelining locally elected governments. Critics argue that this undermines the democratic process and erodes local autonomy.
The Governor’s increased authority extends to key appointments within the state administration, including the selection of bureaucrats and heads of public institutions, which can lead to local governance being heavily influenced by the central government. This centralization of power can diminish the effectiveness of local leaders and institutions. In matters of security and law enforcement, the Governor now wields significant influence, raising concerns about the militarization of governance, as security forces often operate under the Governor’s directives.
The expanded powers of the Governor facilitate the rapid implementation of central government policies in Indian-occupied Kashmir, often without adequate local consultation. This has resulted in tensions between local political leaders and the central government. Residents believe these changes undermine the region’s democratic fabric, concentrating decision-making authority in the hands of unelected officials.
The lack of local representation in governance exacerbates feelings of alienation among the people, as policies imposed from New Delhi without local input have led to widespread discontent. There are concerns that the expanded powers could be misused to suppress dissent, stifle opposition, and curtail freedoms, further exacerbating the region’s already tense political climate. The people of Indian-occupied Kashmir have long faced the question of their political future, navigating competing narratives of nationalism and identity.
Amid ongoing political turmoil, a significant portion is increasingly expressing a desire for self-determination and potential accession to Pakistan. The unresolved status of Kashmir has intensified tensions between India and Pakistan, with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir often at the centre of this geopolitical struggle, their voices and aspirations frequently overlooked. Residents seek the right to self-determination.
Kashmiris view accession to Pakistan as a viable solution to their aspirations, often citing shared religious and cultural ties, as well as a perceived historical connection. They believe that joining Pakistan would offer a framework for self-determination, allowing them to preserve their identity and manage their affairs more autonomously. The policies of the BJP-led government have intensified feelings of alienation among the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir. Reports of human rights violations, heavy-handed security measures, and economic neglect have fueled discontent. As trust in Indian governance erodes, calls for self-determination and accession to Pakistan are gaining momentum.
The youth of Indian-occupied Kashmir, who have grown up amid conflict and unrest, are particularly vocal in their demands for change. They are increasingly participating in political discourse, advocating for their rights, and expressing a desire for self-determination. This demographic views its struggle for the future as intrinsically linked to the broader aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The people of Indian-occupied Kashmir are dissatisfied with India, Modi, the BJP, and its anti-Kashmiri policies. Modi’s narrative of governance and division has resulted in significant backlash, culminating in the BJP’s historic defeat in the recent elections in IIOJK, which were held after a decade. According to Indian media, the Indian National Congress has emerged with a clear lead in the region. The recent electoral outcomes have highlighted the importance of political narratives in shaping voter sentiment and behaviour. When election results diverge from the established narrative, it is crucial for political leaders and parties to recognize this disconnect. Ignoring it can hinder progress and alienate constituents.
The narrative put forth by Modi and his party has failed, and the people of India are fully aware of the BJP’s ulterior motives. The residents of Indian-occupied Kashmir have distanced themselves from this electoral spectacle and are calling for their right to self-determination. The international community should urge India to comply with UN resolutions regarding the right to self-determination for Kashmiris. The ultimate aspiration of the Kashmiri people is to join Pakistan, and this reality should be acknowledged by both India and the global community.
