Discrimination during pandemic

The WHO has warned that it has received complaints of discrimination and racism during the coronavirus pandemic. This is clearly visible in India where the COVID-19 outbreak has provided another opportunity to launch a fresh attack on the Muslim community.

There has been systematic and state-sponsored discrimination in India ever since the Modi came to power, but now with the outbreak, violent attacks against Muslims have been reported. Muslims are been perceived to be carriers of the virus and physical, verbal, and psychological warfare is being held waged against them. This is a worrying phenomenon as it enjoys widespread support fuelled by official channels.

There has been a sudden surge in Islamophobia accusing Muslims of purposely spreading the virus. A new conspiracy has started against Muslims. This started when several cases were reported at the meeting of Tableeghi Jamaat in New Delhi. There were reports that many cases could be traced to the congregation. The chief of the movement was arrested and charged for homicide, adding to the already existing sentiment against them.

In mid-March, there were many congregations and events while India was openly celebrating Holi, yet the Indian media launched a vicious campaign against the Muslim community. This created an impression that Muslims were responsible for the coronavirus.  The Indian government has added to this malicious campaign and even blamed cross border infiltration for the spread of the virus.

Pakistan has strongly condemned India for linking Muslims with the spread of coronavirus. The army spokesman said the attempt by the Indian government and media has failed badly. The virus has no faith, religion, and relationship with anyone but still India used it to target innocent Muslims. This is apart from the communication blockade in the pandemic-stricken territory of Kashmir.

The Modi government is continuing to spread the Hindutva ideology despite the lockdown and the pandemic. Muslims will be further ostracized in society but they have instead managed to demonstrate good citizenship. Many Indian Muslims, who have recovered from COVID-19, are volunteering to donate blood for plasma therapy to treat coronavirus patients.

Muslims have been politically and economically sidelined in India and now their survival will be more difficult. Many Middle East countries and Arab royals are calling out for hate speech against Muslims. These hostile comments soon disappeared when a member of the UAE royal family clashed with an Indian businessman. There should be no tolerance for such discrimination.