By Sara Nazir

India has long prided itself on being a beacon of diversity, a country where people of different faiths, languages, and ethnicities coexisted. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country is witnessing a worrying transformation. The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its alignment with the Hindutva ideology, has led to a disturbing wave of discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Muslims. The government’s policies, motivated by narrow political objectives, are fanning the flames of division and injustice.

The ideology of Hindutva, which translates to "Hindu-ness," sees India primarily as a Hindu nation. It dismisses the secular framework that has been at the core of India's identity since its independence in 1947. For those who subscribe to this ideology, India is a land for Hindus, and other religious groups—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs—are viewed as outsiders, even though they have been integral parts of the country’s history and culture.

Prime Minister Modi, a former member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an organization that advocates Hindutva, has implemented policies that prioritize the Hindu majority at the expense of minorities. One glaring example of this is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which offers a pathway to citizenship for refugees from neighboring countries, but explicitly excludes Muslims. When combined with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), this law becomes a weapon for the state to question the legitimacy of millions of Muslims in India.

Systematic Targeting of Muslims

The Hindutva agenda has brought about an alarming increase in hostility toward India’s Muslim population, which makes up around 14% of the country. This hostility manifests in both direct violence and indirect marginalization, with the government either turning a blind eye or actively participating in discriminatory actions.

A recent incident in Gujarat serves as a painful reminder of the persecution Muslims face. Authorities in the Gir Somnath District demolished eight Muslim religious buildings, including a centuries-old shrine, and more than 47 houses. The operation displaced around 200 families, many of whom were not even allowed to retrieve their belongings. These demolitions, carried out on land reportedly belonging to the Shri Somnath Trust and the state, unfolded in a mere six hours, but the damage to the community will last for generations.

For the people affected, this was not just about losing a building. Religious sites like the Haji Mangrol Shrine and the Gharib Shah Shrine, which stood for over 800 years, were more than places of worship. They were part of the cultural fabric of the area, representing centuries of coexistence. The local population was left devastated by the destruction of these historic sites. The purpose, many argue, is clear: to intimidate and displace Muslims, sending a message that they do not belong.

A Pattern of Oppression

Unfortunately, the demolitions in Gujarat are not an isolated incident. Across the country, in states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, Muslim communities have faced similar demolitions under the guise of urban development or legal disputes. But these actions reveal a deeper agenda—a desire to marginalize Muslims and push them further to the fringes of Indian society.
In Uttar Pradesh, a state governed by BJP hardliner Yogi Adityanath, anti-Muslim sentiment is openly encouraged. Vigilante groups, claiming to protect Hindu culture, have attacked Muslims with impunity. Lynching incidents, often triggered by unfounded accusations of cow slaughter, have become disturbingly frequent. These acts of violence, driven by religious prejudice, are often met with silence—or worse, justification—from government officials. The message is clear: in Modi’s India, Muslims can be openly targeted without consequence.

What makes these actions particularly chilling is the calculated way they are executed. In Veraval, Gujarat, the homes and places of worship were bulldozed without any prior notice. Families were forced to watch helplessly as their homes crumbled. Social activist Basir Gohil captured the despair of those affected: "Many people weren’t even allowed to collect their belongings. This was a highly political act. It was clear we were being punished for something that wasn’t our fault." Such blatant disregard for the dignity of people is a violation of basic human rights.

A Government of Double Standards

The Modi government’s treatment of its Muslim citizens runs counter to India’s constitution, which guarantees the right to equality, freedom of religion, and protection from discrimination. Yet, the very institutions meant to protect these rights have become complicit in perpetuating injustice. The courts, often slow to respond, offer little recourse for those affected by state-sponsored oppression.

Nusrat Panja, Vice President of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, voiced the concerns of many when she questioned the legality and morality of the demolitions in Veraval. “The purpose of these demolitions is clear: to scare Muslims and vacate the land. These buildings were ancient and had stood for centuries with full legal documentation. Why is the state government so eager to destroy them now?” Her concerns echo the fears of countless Muslims across India, who feel increasingly vulnerable in a country that once prided itself on its inclusive democracy.

The Larger Implications

While the immediate impact of these actions is the destruction of property and the displacement of families, the long-term effects are far more troubling. The Modi government’s policies are sowing seeds of hatred and division that could have devastating consequences for India’s social fabric. Religious intolerance is being normalized, and the narrative of India as a Hindu nation is gaining traction among the population. This could lead to further marginalization of minorities, increased communal violence, and a weakened democracy.

India’s strength has always been its diversity. For centuries, people of different faiths, languages, and backgrounds have lived side by side, contributing to the rich cultural mosaic that defines the country. But the Modi government’s Hindutva-driven policies threaten to tear apart this fabric. The systematic targeting of Muslims is not only a gross violation of human rights but a betrayal of India’s founding principles.

The Modi government’s disregard for the basic human rights of Muslims and other minorities is a dark chapter in India’s history. The demolitions in Gujarat, the lynchings in Uttar Pradesh, and the discriminatory laws like the CAA are all part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored oppression. If unchecked, these actions will push India further down a dangerous path of religious intolerance and social division. It is time for both Indian citizens and the international community to hold the Modi government accountable and demand a return to the values of justice, equality, and secularism that once defined the nation.