Indian authorities have cracked down on protests across the country over derogatory remarks by BJP leaders against the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The outrage by Islamic countries have in fact made the situation more difficult for Indian Muslims facing the brunt of Hindu zealots.
The Indian government has been fighting a raging diplomatic salvo ever since BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made the offensive remarks. Indian Muslims took to the streets to condemn the remarks. But Indian police resorted with brutality, two Muslims were shot dead in Ranchi and hundreds were arrested in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
In another instance of pressuring the minority, Indian authorities demolished the house of Muslims who participated in the protests. In the latest act, the house of female Muslim activist Afreen Fatima was destroyed in Allahabad after she participated in the protests. The authorities even accused her elderly father of organizing the protests before bulldozing their house.
This brutal act has been done in the past when shops of Muslim owners were demolished after communal riots in New Delhi. This is just the latest instance of pressure and humiliation the fascist Hindutva authorities have been inflicting on Indian Muslims on issues ranging from freedom of speech to wearing the hijab.
More than 15 Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, which were key trade partners for India, lodged protests when the blasphemous remarks were made. However, it is imperative that they also condemn the hurtful treatment of Muslims there. The world seriously needs to take notice of the rising hate and intolerance against Muslims and incidents of Islamophobia in India.
The BJP has a goal of recasting India as a Hindu state and has mobilized its voters against Muslims who are the main targets of its racist ideology. It has weaponized sensitive issues to demonize Muslims and encouraged mob violence, demolished mosques, properties of Muslims, and called for Muslim genocide.
Indian Muslims will hope the adverse global reaction will offer some respite from extremist politics. It is likely that vested interests and trade links will take precedence once the dust settles. Modi’s government will continue its own ways and the atrocities will resume. For now, the beleaguered Muslim community has hope, albeit temporarily, from the escalating row.
