**Prepared by**

Sarah Mahmoud

Journalist specialized in Indian and Pakistani affairs

Translator of Urdu and Hindi

United Arab Emirates

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Since the partition of India in 1947, numerous acts of violence have been committed against Muslims who chose to remain in India and not migrate to the newly formed Muslim-majority countries (according to the terms of partition). This occurred within the broader framework of sectarian violence between Hindu and Muslim communities.

Indian Muslims have been subjected to violent discrimination and attempts at ethnic cleansing, even though they are an integral part of the nation’s fabric — having lived and ruled there for centuries. This historical legacy (the Islamic conquest of India) is likely the main underlying cause of the hostility directed against them.

Cases of lynching, torture, ill-treatment, and suppression of freedom of belief and expression have reached alarming levels. Fascist and racist rhetoric against Muslims has become commonplace, readily used by political parties. In 2023, a Hindu MP even publicly called for the extermination of 200 million Muslims without fear or hesitation.

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**The Reality of Indian Muslims:**

Hindus often describe Muslims as foreign invaders who occupied their land, and even the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has referred to them as “infiltrators.”
However, the truth is that Indian Muslims did not come from outside. What actually happened is that a large portion of Indians embraced Islam voluntarily — without coercion — during the Islamic expansion into the Indian subcontinent. This led to the establishment of a powerful and deeply rooted Islamic state known as the Delhi Sultanate, which lasted for centuries.

Thus, Muslims in India are an inseparable part of the nation — a fact symbolized by the famous Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Muslims are the second-largest religious group in India, after Hindus.

Although they are a minority compared to the Hindu majority (comprising about 15% of the total population), many Muslims no longer dare to openly display their religious identity because of the growing hostility and violence. One Muslim Indian stated that he no longer wears clothes that identify him as Muslim, no longer jokes in Urdu (a language mostly spoken by Muslims), and has even stopped greeting callers with the Islamic salutation.

On the other hand, there is a Muslim minority proud of their nationality, often pointing out that their homeland hosts one of the world’s largest Muslim populations and that they fought alongside Hindus to liberate India from British colonial rule.

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**Muslims Without Citizenship:**

The recent amendments to India’s citizenship laws — deliberately designed to strip Muslims of their nationality — have targeted many members of the community. It has become difficult for them to prove their citizenship due to documentation problems that are especially common in rural areas. As a result, many find themselves labeled as “illegal immigrants,” facing the threat of arrest and deportation.

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**The Rise of Hate Waves:**

Sectarian violence is not new in Indian society, but it has intensified as a result of political manipulation and the strategies of those in power. Observers have noted that hate campaigns against Muslims have escalated dramatically since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in a sweeping victory. Many accuse the party of complicity in violent incidents and even view such violence as part of its electoral strategy.

There have been numerous cases in which Muslims were attacked by so-called “cow vigilantes” following rumors that they had eaten or tried to smuggle beef — since cows are sacred animals in Hinduism and cannot be slaughtered.

At times, the violence is not overtly physical but takes on more subtle and malicious forms aimed at distorting the image of the Muslim minority. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hindu leaders accused Muslim men of engaging in what they called “Corona Jihad,” alleging that Muslims were deliberately spreading the virus. Another rumor, “Roti Jihad,” claimed that Muslim cooks were spitting on bread to infect Hindus.

Equally harmful was the “Love Jihad” conspiracy theory, in which Hindus claim that Muslim men deliberately target Hindu women for marriage to convert them to Islam.

Muslim women have also been victims of hate — with some being mockingly “auctioned” online by extremist Hindu groups.

Public demonstrations and chants calling for the killing of Muslims have become common in Indian streets. Likewise, the conversion of mosques into Hindu temples has become a recurring event — often resulting in the death of dozens of Muslims in full public view, amid suspicious silence from the media.

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**Trade and Economy:**

The poverty of Muslims is a visible reality in the neighborhoods where they are concentrated — a result of discriminatory and racist policies. Many Hindus do not want Muslims to have wealth or even basic necessities such as food and water. Those who defy this unwritten rule may face beatings, torture, or assault — even children.

Muslims face major challenges in accessing prestigious jobs, especially in government and administrative sectors, due to favoritism and discrimination. They also struggle more than Hindus to obtain bank loans or financing and face bias when buying or renting property.

Discrimination extends beyond income sources to education. Illiteracy rates are higher among Muslims than among other religious groups in India, and their access to higher education is very limited — which further reduces their opportunities in the job market.

Although India’s agriculture sector heavily depends on Muslim labor and despite their significant contributions to the national economy, Muslims continue to face rampant discrimination and violent incidents that cause severe economic losses to their businesses and properties.