The systematic oppression of Muslims in India during Ramadan: A month of fasting or fear? Caliber.Az analyses an article of Middle East Eye

The British website Middle East Eye has published an article shedding light on the grave and often overlooked realities faced by Muslims in India, especially during the holy months of Ramadan. Caliber.Az offers its readers an adapted version of the piece.

The piece paints a stark picture of the routine violence, marginalization, and state-sponsored discrimination that has become an everyday experience for millions of Indian Muslims. It portrays a country where Ramadan, a time traditionally marked by reflection and prayer, has turned into a reminder of the relentless persecution endured by the Muslim community.

The transformation of Muslim identity into a target

The article outlines the evolving narrative of oppression where Muslims in India are no longer simply victims of isolated incidents of violence but are systematically targeted in multiple, insidious ways. The violence described—ranging from mobs assaulting Muslims under the guise of religious festivals to the destruction of property and homes—has morphed from isolated acts of hatred to normalized, institutionalized cruelty. The state and its structures, particularly under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, have not only failed to prevent these atrocities but have also actively participated in them by either encouraging or turning a blind eye to the violence.

What is particularly disturbing is the normalization of this violence. As the article emphasizes, when a Muslim man is lynched or when a mosque is attacked, these events no longer stir widespread outrage. The constant cycle of violence has desensitized the public to Muslim suffering. The systematic harassment of Muslims—whether it be in the form of discrimination in workplaces, educational institutions, or simply during daily life—has been so entrenched that it now forms part of the fabric of Indian society. Public apathy, fueled by state disinformation and media manipulation, has conditioned the Indian population to accept such abuses as normal, expected, and even deserved.

Violence as governance

The piece highlights how the victims of violence are criminalized while the perpetrators often go unpunished. A particularly striking example is the situation in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where demands by Hindu nationalists to demolish the tomb of a Mughal ruler sparked violence, yet only Muslims were booked, further cementing the idea that Muslim suffering is inconsequential in the eyes of the state. This narrative is compounded by BJP leaders like Raghuraj Singh, who make derogatory remarks, fueling further animosity and reinforcing the sentiment that Muslims are inferior.

The article makes it clear that in India today, Muslim identity has been weaponized in the service of Hindu nationalism. The state apparatus, including law enforcement, courts, and politicians, has been complicit in the growing oppression, even actively contributing to it. The clear message to Muslims is that their visibility and existence in public life are unwelcome, and the government’s actions reflect this intent. Whether it is forcing Muslims to stay inside during Hindu festivals or arresting those who speak out, the message is consistent: be invisible, or face dire consequences.

The role of the state and media in perpetuating Islamophobia

The Indian state’s active role in perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiment is paired with the complicity of the media, which spreads disinformation and stokes communal tensions. The media’s portrayal of Muslims often distorts the truth, highlighting incidents where Muslims are involved in violence while downplaying or justifying Hindu nationalist violence. This portrayal creates a false narrative that Muslims are the aggressors, even when they are the ones being attacked. This narrative shift enables the state to perpetuate its oppression while deflecting any responsibility for the violence.

The lack of accountability for those who perpetuate Islamophobia, combined with the systemic marginalization of Muslims, creates a chilling atmosphere in which speaking out becomes a dangerous act. As the article points out, even those who protest or demand justice face persecution. Muslims who dare to resist or voice their concerns are punished, while the perpetrators of violence are rewarded or left unscathed.

The silence of the international community

The article also underscores the disturbing indifference of the international community to the plight of Muslims in India. When Muslims are killed or attacked, the world’s response is often silence. This lack of international pressure enables the Indian government to continue its policies without fear of reprisal. The normalization of violence against Muslims has reached a point where the international community’s inaction has become complicit in the oppression.

This silence is particularly concerning in the context of India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. The country has long prided itself on being a pluralistic, secular nation. Yet, the growing oppression of Muslims under the current government directly contradicts this ideal, revealing a stark reality in which the state has used its democratic framework to enable the disenfranchisement of an entire religious minority.

Conclusion: Defiance in the face of oppression

Despite the overwhelming oppression, the article concludes with a note of resilience and defiance. For Muslims in India, simply continuing to live—fasting during Ramadan, praying in mosques, and maintaining their faith—has become an act of resistance. The defiance is not about seeking permission or waiting for justice; it is about asserting their right to exist and refusing to disappear, no matter how hard the state and society may push to erase their presence.

The analysis reveals the depth of the systemic oppression faced by Muslims in India, a tragedy that is not just about the violence they suffer but about the normalization of their suffering and the erosion of their basic human rights. While the international community may turn a blind eye, the defiance of Muslims in India serves as a reminder that even in the most oppressive conditions, resistance endures.