IAMC Weekly India Human Rights Monitor (June 6, 2025)

This Week at a Glance 

Calls are growing for the US State Department to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern for egregious religious freedom violations after more than 8,500 Muslim-owned homes were demolished in Ahmedabad. In Assam, the number of people arrested for “anti-national” social media posts rose to 81 following the Pahalgam attack, while an independent news outlet was slapped with a 90-day YouTube ban for posting criticism of India’s treatment of Rohingya refugees. Ahead of Eid al-Adha, Muslims across the country are facing harassment, including from elected officials from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amid mounting hate speech and state discrimination, Mumbai witnessed a citizens’ rally for unity, and Muslim leaders launched a campaign to defend madrasas from targeted closures. On the US front, IAMC lauded the release of Rutgers’ new report on Hindutva in America, hosted veteran Indian lawyer Prashant Bhushan for an event in New Jersey, and geared up for even more events over the next few weeks.

Top Stories

Rutgers University Releases New Report on Hindutva in America

The Rutgers Law Center for Security, Race, and Rights released a new report titled “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism.” The report examines Hindu supremacists’ role in furthering bigotry against Muslims, Sikhs, and other minorities. 

8,500 Muslim-owned homes demolished in Ahmedabad

Over 8,500 Muslim-owned homes were demolished in Ahmedabad while Hindu properties were spared. In light of this incident, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged the US State Department to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern – a label reserved for the world’s worst violators of religious freedoms.

81 Arrested in Assam Over Pahalgam-Related Social Media Posts 

In Assam, arrests over “anti-national” posts have risen to 81 since the Pahalgam attack. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma boasted of the arrests on X, saying, “Eighty-one anti-nationals are now behind bars for sympathising with Pakistan.”

YouTube Bans Independent Outlet for Criticizing Treatment of Rohingya

YouTube imposed a 90-day ban on independent outlet Journo Mirror after it posted a video of advocate Prashant Bhushan criticizing India’s treatment of Rohingya refugees.

Muslims Face Threats Ahead of Eid

Ahead of Eid al-Adha, Muslims face nationwide harassment and bigotry – including from BJP lawmaker Nanda Kishore Gurjar, who threatened to shoot Muslim meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the holiday.

Hate crimes and discrimination in India

This week, a Muslim school principal was suspended over fake news alleging she changed a school signboard to Urdu. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh razed an under-construction mosque without notice, while in Madhya Pradesh, a four-story building belonging to a Muslim doctor was demolished using explosives. Meanwhile, BJP lawmaker Alok Sharma supported calls to ban Muslim trainers from gyms in Bhopal, and Hindu militants held a march in Kanpur after arms training, calling for the boycott of Muslim businesses.

Resistance & Organizing

Citizens March in Mumbai Against Hate, Reaffirm Commitment to Unity

Hundreds gathered in Mumbai this week for a peace rally organized by a coalition of activists, students, workers, and civil society groups. The march called for an end to rising hate and communal violence, while affirming a collective commitment to constitutional values, environmental justice, and solidarity across religious and caste lines.

Son Files Supreme Court Petition to Stop Mother’s Illegal Deportation

A 27-year-old man in Assam has taken his mother’s case to India’s Supreme Court after she was detained without due process and faces imminent deportation. His habeas corpus petition challenges the unlawful “push back” of declared foreigners and asserts her right to remain in India while her appeal is still pending.

Muslim leaders Hold Conference to Defend Madrasas from Targeted Demolitions

At a gathering in Uttar Pradesh, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind launched a campaign against arbitrary demolition and closure notices served to madrasas across multiple states. Leaders denounced the targeting of Islamic institutions as unconstitutional, vowing to defend religious and educational freedoms through the courts and public mobilization.

Defender of the Week

This week, we’re spotlighting Senior Advocate for the Supreme Court of India Prashant Bhushan, a veteran Indian lawyer who uses public interest litigation to push back against corruption and civil rights violations. Mr. Bhushan is known for his sharp criticism of the Modi government, the weakening of the Indian judiciary, and the corrosion of Indian democracy.

Voices from the Ground 

“What is worthy of note is that when BJP leaders and right-wing trollers rail against undocumented immigrant – who they variously described as infiltrators, [intruders], ‘Bangladeshis’, Rohingyas, insects and parasites – what they really are doing is dog-whistling against Indian Muslims.”

– Harsh Mander, Indian author and social activist

IAMC in Action

• IAMC hosted Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan and veteran lawyer Ashok Arora for an event in New Jersey titled “The State of Democracy in India.” Stay tuned for our press release on the event.
• We’re continuing to receive applications for the Indian American Youth Council (IAMYC), a new platform for young leaders who are passionate about minority rights, the reclaiming of Indian Muslim pride, and the fight against Hindu supremacist ideology in India and globally. We’re starting off with open applications for Chair and Vice Chair positions in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Texas, and New York. IAMYC is open to college students and young professionals – apply now here, and email youthcouncil@iamc.com with any questions. 
• We’re continuing to catalogue daily hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities in India on our social media. Follow us on X and Instagram to keep up to date on the situation. 

What to Watch Next Week

• Anti-Muslim violence has soared across India in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we need to talk about it. IAMC’s online event on June 11 at 12 pm EST will feature expert academics and notable advocates in a discussion of how Indian Muslims and Kashmiris have been affected post-Pahalgam. Stay tuned for more details.
• IAMC will be joining Rutgers Law Center for Security, Race, and Rights for an online panel event discussing the report on June 16th at 12pm EST. Stay tuned for more details.
• IAMC’s newest multimedia project, the Indian Muslim Story, is an exploration of Indian Muslim heritage, identity, and current issues. We release new articles each week, so be sure to follow us on Instagram for accompanying graphics and videos.