IPRI Books 27/11/2023
Post 2014, Indian government dropped all semblance of even handedness in dealing
with minorities and resorted to majoritarianism aka Hindu Rashtra politics.
Discriminatory laws and media campaigns dehumanised minorities with impunity.
Systematic dehumanising1 pattern is identical to one adopted by majoritarian
regimes resulting in worst genocides in history (refer Section-I).
Being party to Genocide Convention, India is obligated to prevent and punish
genocide and its preventative duty applies to incitement through hate speeches.
Hindutva ideologues are bent upon eradicating symbols of minority identity and
history especially places of worship (refer Section-V, VI, and VII).
In 2021, 294 incidents2 of hate crime against Muslims, Christians and Sikhs are
reported. Hundreds of Churches burnt in Manipur. (refer Section-IV).
Incessant attacks continue despite legal protection afforded by the Indian
constitution. The Places of Worship Act (1991, India) says – “a mosque, temple, church
or any other place of worship will retain same religious character that it had on 15
August, 1947” (refer Section– II).
Dozens of historic Mosques throughout India are under active attack – facing threats
of destruction or eviction (refer Section-IX).
More than 1600 mosques are facing smear campaign in media (refer Section-X).
In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), 24,496 religious sites taken
under control of the government body – Waqf Board.
World comity shall demand India to uphold its commitments to human rights being
party to “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” (refer Section-XI).