Hindu extremists in Uttarakhand call for expulsion of Muslims in “Holy Land” campaign

Months after a previous bout of anti-Muslim unrest, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand state is witnessing a systematic campaign against Muslims to expel them out of the Hindu holy land, which includes calls of mass violence, intimidation, and harassment as a way to expel Muslims from their homes.  

Echoing these calls was Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, a prominent temple head, who claimed that Uttarakhand state, also known as “the land of the gods,” is endowed with God’s presence in “every particle,” and should not tolerate any other religion. 

Hindu extremists set up paramilitary unit, provide training to youth

Hindu extremists in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Uttar Pradesh state’s Varanasi have established a paramilitary group named Akhand Hind Force (United Hindu Force) to provide military training to Hindu youth. 

The growing weaponization of violent Hindu supremacists is a cause of concern for the minority Muslim community, who are being threatened with mass slaughter from extremist groups and BJP leaders alike.

Muslim man reportedly murdered in police custody

A Muslim man was reportedly killed in police custody in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh state’s Bulandshahr city. The body of the victim, Salim, was found near a mosque after police had picked him up earlier that night. Salim’s family members say he was murdered in police custody and his body was thrown away.

Hindu militants assault Muslim men for accompanying Hindu woman

Earlier this week, members of the Hindu militant group Bajrang Dal severely assaulted two Muslim men in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, after they were spotted with a Hindu woman. The police, acting on the complaint by the Hindu militant group, arrested the two Muslim men but let the assaulters walk free. The Muslim men were released after the woman testified that they intended her no harm, but remain hospitalized for fractured bones and internal injuries.