NEW DELHI: In the wake of the deadly 2020 riots and a rise in anti-Muslim hate speech, many Muslims in India’s capital, New Delhi, have begun to cluster in enclaves away from the Hindu majority, seeking safety in numbers.
Nasreen and her husband Tofik are among those who have relocated. Previously living in Shiv Vihar, a neighborhood in northeast New Delhi, they moved to Loni—a more isolated area with limited infrastructure but a substantial Muslim population—after Tofik was attacked during the riots. A police report reveals that he was pushed from the second floor of their building, resulting in a permanent limp and a lengthy recovery period before he could resume his work selling clothes.
“I will not go back to that area. I feel safer among Muslims,” Tofik told Reuters. The news agency interviewed about two dozen residents who echoed this sentiment, highlighting the trend of Muslims moving away from Hindu-majority areas.
One of the most significant Muslim neighborhoods in Delhi, Jamia Nagar, has become increasingly congested. Despite ongoing construction, the influx of residents has outpaced available space, according to local leaders and real estate agents. Raes Khan, a South Delhi real estate agent, noted that Muslim clients now predominantly seek homes in Muslim-majority areas, emphasizing a growing sentiment of insecurity.
Raphael Susewind, a political anthropologist at the London School of Economics, indicated that segregation among communities has intensified over the past decade, largely driven by rising Islamophobia since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. Six Muslim community leaders corroborated this claim, citing anecdotal evidence of increased segregation.
In Jamia Nagar, the mosque’s early morning prayer attendance has more than doubled in recent years, reflecting a growing Muslim population. Jamal Siddiqui, a senior BJP official, suggested that economic factors could influence the choice to live in segregated areas, while local Congress party worker Syed Sayeed Hasan attributed the trend to the 2020 riots.
The violence of that year, which left over 200 injured and at least 53 dead, predominantly affected Muslims and was linked to inflammatory speeches by BJP leaders. A report by the Delhi government implicated BJP officials in inciting the riots, though the party denied the allegations.
While official crime statistics show a decline in communal riots, independent experts have documented a rise in anti-Muslim hate speech. From 255 incidents in the first half of 2023 to 413 in the latter half, these figures illustrate a concerning trend, particularly among BJP-affiliated groups.
Jamia Nagar is a vibrant area adjacent to Jamia Millia Islamia, a prominent Muslim university. As the population grows, developers have increased the height of buildings to accommodate demand, with new kindergartens springing up in the cramped lanes. However, many Muslim enclaves still lack essential public services, leading to educational disadvantages for children.
After moving to Loni, Nasreen and Tofik’s income dropped by half, with Tofik working reduced hours. Their daughter Muskan, 16, faced challenges at her under-resourced school and ultimately dropped out, feeling disconnected from her former classmates. Despite the difficulties, Nasreen stated, “I will never go back. I have lost faith in them,” referring to their former neighbors.
Others, like Malika, also relocated after losing family members in the riots. Now, she juggles part-time work in a mixed neighborhood while struggling with poverty and insecurity.
The trend of Muslims seeking refuge in enclaves has even drawn upper-middle-class families who previously lived in mixed areas. “People feel it is better to live in separate areas rather than have a constant threat to life and property from members of the other community,” said Mujahid Nafees, a Muslim leader from Gujarat, home to India’s largest Muslim enclave.
