NEW DELHI: In a disturbing incident highlighting the growing concerns of religious radicalization in India, a young Muslim boy named Yusuf (17), who lived in the Jafrabad neighborhood, was brutally stabbed to death by a Hindu extremist in East Delhi’s Welcome area. The gruesome attack, which saw Yusuf stabbed more than 60 times, was captured on video, further intensifying the shock and outrage surrounding the incident.
The video circulating on the internet shows the Hindu perpetrator mutilating Yusuf’s body, kicking it, and callously dancing next to the lifeless victim before fleeing the crime scene. The brutality of the attack by a Hindu extremist has ignited widespread condemnation, with calls for justice echoing both within India and across international borders.
Critics argue that the rise of Hindutva ideology in Indian society has contributed to an atmosphere where crimes against minorities are increasingly perceived as acceptable. The victim’s religious background and the alleged religious motivation behind the attack have intensified tensions. The incident shed light on the deep-seated issues and Hindu extremism related to communal relations in the country.
Growing Incidents of Hindu Extremism in India
The Indian government’s response to the incident was also strongly condemned, with accusations that every possible effort was being made to conceal the identity of the perpetrator, believed to be a hard-line Hindu. Critics claim that such actions are aimed at preventing damage to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) reputation on the global stage.
Hindutva radicalization, characterized by a sense of religious superiority and hostility towards minorities, has raised concerns among human rights activists. The political use of these sentiments by BJP lawmakers to garner support has been a growing trend in recent years.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP government faces mounting criticism for human rights violations, including incidents of mob lynching, the destruction of mosques and churches, and the demolition of Muslim properties. The global community and India’s strategic partners are being urged to address these concerning trends in the country of approximately 1.5 billion people.
