The Modi government’s hypocrisy and deeply rooted belief in Hindu superiority are glaringly evident in its manipulation of facts to advance its Hindutva agenda.
Indian media, marching in lockstep with the government’s narrative, has been amplifying the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh, who make up less than eight percent of the population.
Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, far-right influencers in India quickly seized the moment, spreading false information that Muslims were targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. One viral post, which was debunked by the BBC, falsely claimed that a temple in Chittagong had been set on fire; in reality, the incident involved a nearby Awami League party office.
While these misleading narratives are pushed to stoke communal tensions, the plight of India’s 200 million Muslims—the largest minority in the country—is systematically ignored. Under Modi’s rule, Muslims have been relentlessly targeted and victimized, leaving a deep scar on a nation that once prided itself on secularism. Today’s India, under the Modi government, has shed its secular veneer and stands as a Hindutva state, where religious intolerance is not only tolerated but actively encouraged.
While the Indian media and government express outrage over isolated incidents against Hindus in Bangladesh, the relentless persecution of Muslims in India remains largely unaddressed. The 2020 Delhi riots stand as one of the most egregious examples. What began as protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) quickly devolved into communal violence, with Muslims bearing the brunt of the attacks.
Mosques were desecrated, homes and businesses belonging to Muslims were torched, and dozens of Muslims were killed in what many observers described as a targeted and systematic assault. The police, often accused of complicity, were criticized for their inaction or, worse, active participation in the violence against Muslims. These riots laid bare the deep-seated animosity towards the Muslim community, exacerbated by the divisive rhetoric of the ruling party.
Cow vigilantism has further contributed to the persecution of Muslims under Modi’s regime. Emboldened by the government’s tacit approval, vigilante groups brutally attack Muslims every now and then on the suspicion of slaughtering or trading in cows. These attacks have often resulted in gruesome lynchings, with little to no legal repercussions for the perpetrators.
Furthermore, the closure of mosques and restrictions on Islamic practices such as the ban on headscarves for Muslim girls in educational institutions have deepened the marginalization of the Muslim community. The headscarf ban, particularly in Karnataka, forced Muslim students to choose between their education and their religious identity, signaling a growing intolerance towards Islamic practices in public life.
These incidents collectively paint a grim picture of the systematic targeting and oppression of the Indian Muslims, raising fears among experts of a potential genocide.
The Modi government’s controversial actions are a reflection of its deepening commitment to the Hindutva ideology, which seeks to redefine India’s national identity by marginalizing minorities and promoting Hindu supremacy. The installation of a map in the Indian Parliament, depicting neighbouring countries as part of India, is not just a symbolic act but a manifestation of the expansionist and hegemonic ambitions harboured by the Modi regime.
This provocative move underscores the dangerous trajectory on which the current Indian leadership is treading- the one that seeks to rewrite history and assert dominance over the region. It also reveals a blatant disregard for international norms and the sovereignty of other nations, fuelling tensions in an already volatile region.
While the world community watches the victimization of Indian Muslims out of political and economic expediency, it is incumbent upon Muslim countries to raise their voices. If the Indian government and media can be so concerned about the situation faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, then Muslims across the globe must show equal concern for the 200 million Muslims suffering in India. The world’s silence in the face of such blatant discrimination and violence is not just a moral failure but a stark reminder of the selective outrage that governs international politics.
