There is turmoil in India as weeks of protests have been ongoing against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. Indian police have resorted to excessive force and brutality to quell the protests and the situation seems to be getting out of control.
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous with over 40 million Muslims, has been the hardest hit where 19 out of 27 protesters lost their lives. Its extremist chief minister Yogi Adityanath has praised the police violence and the tough stance by his government. While protests have taken place nationwide, deaths have occurred in states where the BJP is in power which shows that authorities there have complete impunity.
Lately, a video started circulating on social media in which a senior police officer is seen telling a group of protesters: Go to Pakistan. It is not confirmed whether the protesters were Muslims but will surely compound the concerns of those worried about the plight of the minority in India. Although the citizenship law discriminates Muslims, many progressive voices are not protesting against the bill.
The ‘Go to Pakistan’ taunt is used by the Indian government to target dissenters and is often posted on social media by supporters of the BJP against those critical of their policies. This clearly implies that Muslims are under threat as the Indian police carries out a reign of terror against them. Thousands have been detained or arrested searching for answers on how to prove their loyalty to their state.
The Indian government is undeterred and has brought another controversial policy to confiscate the properties of protesters. The UP government has demanded damages from around 500 people worth millions threatening to seize their properties. Police have raided Muslim neigbourhoods, sealed shops and properties and even arrested Muslims coming over New Delhi. Meanwhile, the standoff continues and is unlikely to fade away anytime soon.
The actions by the BJP government draws sharp parallels to Nazi Germany which discriminated against Jews forcing them to live in ghettos and wear identity marks. They were prohibited to own properties or partake in religious activities. The only thing left is another holocaust: genocide of the Muslim community.
It is shocking that there is a fascist government in power in the 21st Century. The situation in India will deteriorate further as the government is in denial over the persecution and discrimination of Muslims. The international community should raise their concerns before witnessing massive atrocities and war crimes in the modern era.
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