India's Deepening Divide: From Lynchings and Forced Evictions to Rising Authoritarianism and Heatwave Disparities
Hindutva organizations abroad imitate their counterparts in Israel while portraying themselves as victims despite their oppressive actions
On June 22, 2024, Salman Vohra, a 23-year-old Muslim man, was beaten to death during a cricket match in Chikhodra, Anand district, Gujarat. Tensions arose due to Muslim players excelling, causing unrest among local Hindutva supporters. A parking dispute escalated, leading a mob to assault Vohra with bats and knives. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Police arrested several suspects, charging them with murder and other offenses. The incident has sparked significant outrage and calls for justice from political and social groups.
The India Fix substack discusses the silent role of Hindutva, an ideology promoted by India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in British politics. InsightUK, a Hindutva organization, has been actively pushing its agenda during the UK election by co-authoring a "Hindu manifesto" and organizing debates to attract Hindu voters. This influence has allowed Hindutva organizations to lobby politicians for policies aligned with their ideology. However, the manifesto has received criticism from some British Hindus, who see it as a way to stifle dissent and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite ideological diversity among British Hindus, Hindutva organizations have successfully positioned themselves as the community's sole spokespersons.
India’s Muslim ghettos are largely the result of forced displacement rather than just prejudice. Incidents like the protest against a Muslim woman in Vadodara reflect deep-seated bias. Historical and recent sectarian violence, such as the 1992 Mumbai riots and 2002 Gujarat riots, have forced Muslims into segregated areas for safety. These areas often lack basic infrastructure and are stigmatized as crime hotspots. Viewing this situation as forced displacement highlights a broader human rights crisis that requires judicial and societal intervention to address systemic injustices.
Rising heat in India exacerbates social divides, hitting marginalized communities hardest. Urban poor, often in overcrowded, poorly ventilated homes, face extreme heat with limited access to cooling or healthcare. Agricultural workers suffer from intensified heat, impacting their health and livelihoods. Women, particularly, bear the brunt due to added household responsibilities and restricted access to relief measures. These conditions underline systemic inequalities, as wealthier individuals have more resources to adapt, while poorer populations struggle to survive. The heat crisis, therefore, not only poses a public health challenge but also deepens existing social and economic disparities.
Firoz Qureshi, a Muslim man in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, was beaten to death by a mob on July 4, 2024, marking the 12th lynching and the eighth Muslim victim since June 4. Accused of theft, he was assaulted with bamboo sticks and iron weights. Despite an FIR, no arrests were made, and the lynching charge wasn't invoked. This incident is part of a surge in anti-Muslim violence since the Modi government came to power, highlighting systemic issues and the vulnerability of minority communities.
Since Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, the state has seen a significant increase in police encounters, with over 180 individuals killed. According to an investigation by the Indian Express, on average, one person has been killed every 13 days in these encounters. The state government claims these actions are part of a zero-tolerance policy against crime, targeting individuals with serious charges and substantial rewards on their capture. However, human rights activists and political opponents have raised concerns about the legality and human rights implications of these encounters, calling for thorough investigations into these incidents.
An investigation by Protect Democracy's Authoritarian Threat Index has rated India as facing a "severe" authoritarian threat, the highest among six nations evaluated, including the US, Poland, Germany, Canada, and the UK. Since the rise of the Modi government, there have been significant declines in democratic freedoms and increased autocratic practices. This includes a surge in internet shutdowns, with India leading globally for six consecutive years, and substantial restrictions on press freedom. These developments reflect a broader erosion of democratic norms and an increasing concentration of power in the hands of the government.
In Assam, over 1,000 Muslim families were evicted from railway land, while Hindu neighbours remained untouched. The evictions targeted long-term residents labelled as "unauthorized encroachers," leaving around 8,000 people homeless. Allegations surfaced that the evictions, which ignored a high court stay order, were politically motivated retribution against Muslims who did not support the ruling BJP in elections. The government denied these claims, insisting the evictions were lawful. This incident highlights accusations of selective enforcement and religious discrimination.