Saturday, 18 January, 2025
The rise in communal violence and the repression of Muslims in India has drawn increasing attention on the global stage.
The destruction of historic mosques and other religious symbols has become a central theme in the narrative of Hindu nationalism, raising concerns about the country’s secular fabric. To understand these developments, it's essential to explore the socio-political motives behind such acts, their implications on India's diversity, and the global resonance they have among Muslim communities.
On November 27, 2024, an Ajmer court ordered the issuance of notices to three parties in a petition claiming the presence of a Shiva temple within the revered Saint Moinuddin Chishti's dargah. The petitioners, led by Advocate Yogesh Siroja, are seeking to allow Hindu worship inside the dargah, further intensifying the ongoing discourse around the status of religious sites. This legal battle is just one example of efforts that many see as part of a broader campaign to undermine Islamic heritage in India.
Bulldozer action near Ajmer Sharif
Another landmark moment in this troubling trend is the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Led by Hindu nationalist groups, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the destruction of the mosque was framed as the removal of an edifice built over a Hindu temple marking Lord Ram’s birthplace. Despite the 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowing the construction of a Ram temple on the site, critics argue that such actions perpetuate historical revisionism and encourage further sectarian violence. These moves are part of a larger effort to assert Hindu dominance, sidelining centuries of Muslim contributions to India's cultural and architectural heritage.
Internationally, these actions reverberate strongly within Muslim communities, particularly in neighbouring Bangladesh. The destruction of mosques and the targeting of Islamic heritage are perceived as attacks on Muslim identity, leading to protests and increased tensions between the countries. Such incidents are often viewed by the public in Bangladesh as part of a broader effort to erase Islam’s place in India’s history, further complicating bilateral relations.
In Pakistan, India's treatment of Muslims serves as a potent rallying cry for anti-India rhetoric, with political leaders and hardline groups leveraging these issues to justify calls for stronger action against perceived Indian aggression. The destruction of religious sites in India reinforces the longstanding sense of animosity between the two nations, with India’s Muslim population increasingly seen as vulnerable under the rising tide of Hindu nationalism.
Meanwhile, in Nepal, where a small but growing Muslim community resides, there is increasing anxiety over the spread of Islamophobia from India. Nepalese Muslims worry that the strengthening influence of Hindu nationalism in India could trigger similar attitudes in their own country, destabilizing communal harmony and sparking sectarian tensions.
Further east, in China, where the repression of Uighur Muslims is a significant issue, India's communal violence is highlighted in Chinese state media as an example of the hypocrisy of democratic nations. These reports aim to deflect international criticism of China’s own human rights violations by casting India as a fellow violator, thereby exacerbating regional distrust and complicating diplomatic relations in South Asia.
For the global Muslim diaspora, these developments are deeply concerning. Many view the increasing marginalization of Muslims in India as part of a broader global trend of rising Islamophobia. International organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have been vocal in condemning these actions, calling for the Indian government to safeguard the rights of its Muslim population and preserve their cultural and religious heritage.
The symbolism of destroying mosques goes beyond sectarian violence; it is a tool for reshaping public memory and eroding India's pluralistic history. By casting mosques as symbols of past invasions or oppression, Hindu nationalist groups seek to create a narrative of division, reinforcing an "us vs. them" mentality that distorts the country’s diverse heritage and undermines its commitment to secularism. This ideology not only poisons inter-community relations within India but also tarnishes the country’s image abroad.
The consequences of these actions are far-reaching. Domestically, they serve to polarize communities, deepen religious divides, and create an atmosphere of fear for religious minorities. Internationally, they damage India’s reputation as a secular democracy, with bodies such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) repeatedly flagging the country for its declining religious freedoms. These developments contribute to a global narrative that casts India’s government as indifferent to the plight of its Muslim citizens, further isolating it on the world stage.
As highlighted in The Guardian’s 2022 report, since the rise of the BJP government in 2014, India’s 200 million-strong Muslim population has faced persecution, violence, and state-sanctioned discrimination. The ruling Hindutva agenda has systematically targeted Muslims through violence, boycotts of Muslim businesses, and the use of Islamophobic rhetoric by political leaders. Such measures not only damage India’s secular identity but also threaten the social cohesion that has long been a hallmark of its democracy.
The destruction of historical mosques, such as the Babri Masjid, is often presented as rectifying historical wrongs, but these actions are seen by critics as part of a broader attempt to rewrite history. Scholars like Richard Eaton and Audrey Truschke have debunked claims of widespread temple destruction by the Mughals, with evidence showing that such assertions are not grounded in historical fact. Yet, these myths continue to be perpetuated by Hindu nationalist groups, fueling divisiveness.
The targeting of Islamic heritage in India reflects a deliberate attempt to redefine national identity along religious lines. These actions undermine India’s pluralistic foundations while amplifying distrust and resentment within Muslim communities both in South Asia and around the world.
Addressing this crisis requires more than political will; it calls for an active effort by civil society, the judiciary, and international organizations to uphold the values of justice, equality, and religious freedom. India’s strength lies in its diversity—a legacy that must be protected for the future of the country and the stability of the region.
Comments
The rise in communal violence and the repression of Muslims in India has drawn increasing attention on the global stage.
The destruction of historic mosques and other religious symbols has become a central theme in the narrative of Hindu nationalism, raising concerns about the country’s secular fabric. To understand these developments, it's essential to explore the socio-political motives behind such acts, their implications on India's diversity, and the global resonance they have among Muslim communities.
On November 27, 2024, an Ajmer court ordered the issuance of notices to three parties in a petition claiming the presence of a Shiva temple within the revered Saint Moinuddin Chishti's dargah. The petitioners, led by Advocate Yogesh Siroja, are seeking to allow Hindu worship inside the dargah, further intensifying the ongoing discourse around the status of religious sites. This legal battle is just one example of efforts that many see as part of a broader campaign to undermine Islamic heritage in India.
Bulldozer action near Ajmer Sharif
Another landmark moment in this troubling trend is the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Led by Hindu nationalist groups, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the destruction of the mosque was framed as the removal of an edifice built over a Hindu temple marking Lord Ram’s birthplace. Despite the 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowing the construction of a Ram temple on the site, critics argue that such actions perpetuate historical revisionism and encourage further sectarian violence. These moves are part of a larger effort to assert Hindu dominance, sidelining centuries of Muslim contributions to India's cultural and architectural heritage.
Internationally, these actions reverberate strongly within Muslim communities, particularly in neighbouring Bangladesh. The destruction of mosques and the targeting of Islamic heritage are perceived as attacks on Muslim identity, leading to protests and increased tensions between the countries. Such incidents are often viewed by the public in Bangladesh as part of a broader effort to erase Islam’s place in India’s history, further complicating bilateral relations.
In Pakistan, India's treatment of Muslims serves as a potent rallying cry for anti-India rhetoric, with political leaders and hardline groups leveraging these issues to justify calls for stronger action against perceived Indian aggression. The destruction of religious sites in India reinforces the longstanding sense of animosity between the two nations, with India’s Muslim population increasingly seen as vulnerable under the rising tide of Hindu nationalism.
Meanwhile, in Nepal, where a small but growing Muslim community resides, there is increasing anxiety over the spread of Islamophobia from India. Nepalese Muslims worry that the strengthening influence of Hindu nationalism in India could trigger similar attitudes in their own country, destabilizing communal harmony and sparking sectarian tensions.
Further east, in China, where the repression of Uighur Muslims is a significant issue, India's communal violence is highlighted in Chinese state media as an example of the hypocrisy of democratic nations. These reports aim to deflect international criticism of China’s own human rights violations by casting India as a fellow violator, thereby exacerbating regional distrust and complicating diplomatic relations in South Asia.
For the global Muslim diaspora, these developments are deeply concerning. Many view the increasing marginalization of Muslims in India as part of a broader global trend of rising Islamophobia. International organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have been vocal in condemning these actions, calling for the Indian government to safeguard the rights of its Muslim population and preserve their cultural and religious heritage.
The symbolism of destroying mosques goes beyond sectarian violence; it is a tool for reshaping public memory and eroding India's pluralistic history. By casting mosques as symbols of past invasions or oppression, Hindu nationalist groups seek to create a narrative of division, reinforcing an "us vs. them" mentality that distorts the country’s diverse heritage and undermines its commitment to secularism. This ideology not only poisons inter-community relations within India but also tarnishes the country’s image abroad.
The consequences of these actions are far-reaching. Domestically, they serve to polarize communities, deepen religious divides, and create an atmosphere of fear for religious minorities. Internationally, they damage India’s reputation as a secular democracy, with bodies such as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) repeatedly flagging the country for its declining religious freedoms. These developments contribute to a global narrative that casts India’s government as indifferent to the plight of its Muslim citizens, further isolating it on the world stage.
As highlighted in The Guardian’s 2022 report, since the rise of the BJP government in 2014, India’s 200 million-strong Muslim population has faced persecution, violence, and state-sanctioned discrimination. The ruling Hindutva agenda has systematically targeted Muslims through violence, boycotts of Muslim businesses, and the use of Islamophobic rhetoric by political leaders. Such measures not only damage India’s secular identity but also threaten the social cohesion that has long been a hallmark of its democracy.
The destruction of historical mosques, such as the Babri Masjid, is often presented as rectifying historical wrongs, but these actions are seen by critics as part of a broader attempt to rewrite history. Scholars like Richard Eaton and Audrey Truschke have debunked claims of widespread temple destruction by the Mughals, with evidence showing that such assertions are not grounded in historical fact. Yet, these myths continue to be perpetuated by Hindu nationalist groups, fueling divisiveness.
The targeting of Islamic heritage in India reflects a deliberate attempt to redefine national identity along religious lines. These actions undermine India’s pluralistic foundations while amplifying distrust and resentment within Muslim communities both in South Asia and around the world.
Addressing this crisis requires more than political will; it calls for an active effort by civil society, the judiciary, and international organizations to uphold the values of justice, equality, and religious freedom. India’s strength lies in its diversity—a legacy that must be protected for the future of the country and the stability of the region.
Comments
