IAMC Weekly India Human Rights Monitor (May 1, 2026)

This Week at a Glance 

This week, a coalition of civil rights groups condemned a U.S.-based policy forum for hosting leaders linked to the fascist paramilitary group RSS, while India dropped to 157 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, with the report flagging growing Islamophobia in media narratives. In West Bengal, the chief minister alleged attempts by the BJP to rig the ongoing elections. A man accused in the killing of a Muslim woman in Bihar has been granted bail despite allegations of severe religious humiliation, and authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have demolished a madrasa and a Muslim shrine as part of actions against alleged “illegal” structures. A series of incidents further underscore patterns of violence and discrimination: a Muslim cleric was allegedly killed after being thrown from a moving train, a fruit truck transporting goods was attacked leaving one man critically injured, over 150 Muslim children aged 6 to 15 travelling to madrasas were detained on suspicion of child labour with families alleging bias, housing discrimination surfaced through posters discouraging property sales to Muslims, a court denied employment-related clearance to a Muslim man acquitted in a terror case, another court criticized selective institutional action on madrasas over mob violence, and a madrasa in Jammu and Kashmir was banned under anti-terror legislation.

 

Top Stories

Coalition Condemns Platforming of RSS Leaders at Hudson Institute

A coalition of leading civil rights and advocacy organizations, including IAMC condemned the Hudson Institute for platforming senior leaders of India’s Hindu fascist paramilitary group  Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a foreign organization that a U.S. congressionally-mandated federal panel has explicitly called to be sanctioned for its role in religious persecution of minorities in India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India slips to 157 in World Press Freedom Index, report flags growing Islamophobia

India was ranked 157 out of 180 countries with a score of 31.96 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, slipping from 151 in 2025, with the report noting that “Hindu nationalist ideology has become a dominant force,” and that many media outlets devote significant airtime to religious content, “openly advocating hatred of Muslims.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP of Trying to “Rig” West Bengal Elections

West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to rig the West Bengal assembly elections, alleging that centrally deployed security forces and election observers were operating at the BJP’s direction. The accusations come amid mounting concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which removed over 9 million names, roughly 12% of the state’s electorate, from voter rolls.

 

Bihar: Man Accused in Muslim Woman’s Killing Granted Bail

In Bihar’s Madhubani, accused Maganoo Singh has been granted bail in connection with the death of Roshan Khatoon, who died after an alleged assault. Her family has alleged that she was also subjected to religious humiliation during the attack and forced to consume alcohol mixed with urine. Singh’s supporters were seen publicly celebrating his release.

 

 

 

 

Officials Demolish Madrasa in Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Shrine in Uttarakhand

In Uttar Pradesh’s Khalilabad, officials demolished an Islamic seminary (madrasa), claiming it was built without proper approval. Meanwhile, a Muslim shrine has been demolished in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district, the latest in a state-wide campaign targeting what officials describe as illegal religious structures on government land.

 

 

Hate crimes and discrimination in India

A Muslim cleric from Bihar was allegedly killed after being assaulted and thrown from a moving train near Bareilly railway station, while in a separate incident, two Muslim men were attacked by a group of cow vigilantes while transporting fruit, leaving one critically injured. In Madhya Pradesh’s Katni, 155 Muslim students and eight teachers travelling from Bihar to schools and madrasas were detained by the Railway Police, with parents alleging religious profiling and delayed release. Meanwhile, a video of Dr Udita Tyagi, associated with the BJP, making derogatory remarks about Muslims at an event in Meerut has drawn backlash online, and in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad, posters discouraging residents from selling homes to Muslims have raised concerns over discrimination. The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition by a Muslim man acquitted in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks who sought a police clearance certificate for employment, while the Allahabad High Court criticized the National Human Rights Commission for ordering a probe into 558 madrasas but not taking suo motu action in cases of mob violence against Muslims. Additionally, the administration in Jammu and Kashmir has banned Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

 

Resistance & Organizing

AIMPLB Opposes Uttarakhand Madrasa Bill, Calls It Violation of Religious Freedom

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) opposed the Uttarakhand government’s proposed madrasa regulation law, saying it violates the constitutional rights of religious minorities and interferes with their autonomy. In a statement, the Board said that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and gives minorities the right to run their own educational institutions. It argued that any attempt to control how madrasas function goes against these protections.

 

 

Defenders of the Week

This week, we’re featuring Soumya, a 23-year-old from Noida, who intervened when a man allegedly harassed a Muslim couple in Noida, questioning the burqa-clad woman’s identity. She confronted him, asked who gave him the authority to demand ID, and later shared a video of the incident on Instagram. While initially praised, she has since faced rape and death threats online. Speaking to Newslaundry, she said that calling her “anti-Hindu” for defending the couple misrepresents her faith, adding that Hinduism teaches helping others.

 

Voices from the Ground 

“Yesterday, the Bombay High Court discharged four men accused of carrying out the 2006 Malegaon Blasts. The accused all allegedly belonged to Abhinav Bharat. The explosions claimed 31 lives and injured 312. The blasts specifically targeted Muslims. Yet, maybe out of habit, the investigation agencies first arrested nine Muslims, who were eventually acquitted in 2016. In yesterday’s order, the High Court criticized the NIA for its botched investigation…This will be yet another terror attack where we will not even see its perpetrators being punished. To be a Muslim in India is to only wait for justice.

–  Asaduddin Owaisi MP, AIMIM chief

IAMC in Action

• A coalition of leading civil rights and advocacy organizations, including IAMC condemned the Hudson Institute for platforming senior leaders of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a foreign organization that a U.S. congressionally-mandated federal panel has explicitly called to be sanctioned for its role in religious persecution of minorities in India. Read the statement here.
• IAMC’s Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed published an OpeEd on VHPA’s connection to Hindu nationalists. Read here.

What to Watch Next Week

• IAMC Boston along with coalition partners ASDSA, BSAC and SAPAN have organized an event “ Stories the State Wants Erased” featuring Neha Dixit, award winning author and journalist, happening on May 2, 2026. Register here.