Humiliating cricket defeat exposes India’s Hindu-Muslim divide – By Amy Kazmin

After India were thrashed by arch-rival Pakistan in the T20 Cricket World Cup, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was vilified by furious Hindu fans who accused the team’s only Muslim player of deliberately throwing the game.

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, fired back, citing Shami’s “passion for the country” and his other high-class performances for the team. “Attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing a human being can do,” Kohli declared, for which he was subjected to a torrent of abuse as well as threats against his toddler daughter….

The draconian response reflects the deepening marginalisation of India’s Muslim community, whose 200m citizens are routinely depicted by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party as an internal security threat.… Indian governments used to promote harmony between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority, emphasising the country’s secular polity. But analysts said the BJP was redefining India as a primarily Hindu nation, in which Muslims would be tolerated if they acknowledge Hindu supremacy and remain within well-defined boundaries….

https://www.ft.com/content/0d342971-ccd6-4ab9-90cc-3618e36935d6