Shahida, Delhi Riot Survivor Image: Amnesty
Muslims: A persecuted religious minority in India Muslims are the largest minority in India and arguably the most persecuted one. As per the 2011 Census data there are 172.2 million Muslims in India which comes to 14.2% of the total population. The British fomented a communal divide to quell the burgeoning revolts to their oppressive rule. This led to the Partition where Pakistan opted for religion-based nationhood, while India remained secular.
the religious minorities and the political dissenter.2
The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948, was an act carried out by proponents of this very ideology, as they found his commitment to HinduMuslim unity and composite nationhood a threat. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned by the Indian government after its functionaries were While a vast majority of Muslims opted for found to be directly or indirectly involved staying behind, putting their faith in the in the act and its celebration. Indian Constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination, the reality of The poor share that Muslims have got Pakistan has been continually used as in the socioeconomic share of India’s an intimidation and threat against them. development has been documented by the Organizations who themselves had government.3 Detailed analyses show that little or nothing to do with the Indian in areas like public sector and government freedom struggle and who have, instead employment, Muslim participation openly propagated religion-based has been affected by the existence of nationhood for India, have held second institutionalized discrimination, whereas class citizenship as a constant threat to in those like the arts, cinema and sports
HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIA - Status Report 2021 by IAMC
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