Over 2,900 religious violence cases in the last 5 years: Indian government data
According to the Indian government’s own data from the National Crime Records Bureau, over 2,900 cases of rioting or violence between religious communities were registered in India between 2017 and 2021. The data reveals how sharply Hindu supremacist violence against Muslims has increased under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindu extremist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a concern that has been raised by human rights organizations around the world.
A total of 378 cases of communal violence were registered in 2021. Out of the past five years, 2020 saw the highest number of communal violence cases, with 857 reports.
The renowned US-based think tank Pew Research Center has reported that the spike in violence in 2020 can be attributed to hate-mongering by Indian authorities, blaming Muslims for the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
February 2020 also witnessed the Delhi pogroms, during which Hindu supremacist mob riots led to the public lynchings of dozens of Muslims.
Communal violence triggered by Hindu supremacists was reported throughout 2022 as well. In April, which coincided with both Ramadan and the Hindu festival Ram Navami, armed Hindu supremacist mobs marched through Muslim areas, blasting Islamophobic songs, chanting Hindu religious slogans, and attacking mosques, shrines, Muslim families, homes and their businesses.
In most cases, Hindu supremacists who take part in rioting or assault walk free without consequences, while Muslims who try to protect themselves are arrested and have their homes demolished.
Muslim author arrested during hospital treatment after Hindu extremist demands
In an inhumane violation of citizen’s rights, a Muslim author and critic of Hindu extremism was arrested in Maharashtra state while she was undergoing dialysis in a hospital, after the student arm of India’s most prominent Hindu supremacist group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), demanded her arrest.
Police arrested Dr. Farhat Khan on Thursday on false charges of “hurting religious sentiments” in her book titled “Collective Violence and Criminal Justice System,” which criticizes Hindu supremacist groups.
The book is taught in various law colleges across the state.
Hindu extremists claimed that the book contained “objectionable content” since it exposed the emergence of Hindu nationalism across India, as well as the influence of Hindu supremacist organizations like the RSS.
Khan suffers from a serious kidney ailment and needs dialysis on a regular basis. The police have also filed cases against the publisher, the principal of the college, and a professor.
Police send warning to BJP lawmaker over anti-Muslim hate speech
Police in Hyderabad city have sent a warning to suspended BJP lawmaker T. Raja Singh for making anti-Muslim comments on Facebook, thereby violating conditions laid down by the court during his release last month.
Singh was arrested in August under hate speech charges for “habitually delivering provocative and inflammatory speeches” against Muslims and making offensive comments about Prophet Muhammad. He has also threatened violence in the past, including a threat to “beat up” Muslim comedian Munawar Faruqui and burn down the venue of his comedy show.
However, he was released soon after Hindu extremists threatened to “lay siege” on the city if Singh was not released from jail.
Singh was released on the condition that he not make any provocative speeches against any religion. The police, however, said Singh on December 6 made a hateful post on Facebook targeting the Muslim community.
A total of 101 criminal cases have been registered against him since 2004. He has been involved in 18 anti-Muslim offenses.
