Six years ago, a young Muslim boy in Agra, India, returned home from school with tears in his eyes. “My classmates called me a Pakistani terrorist,” he confided in his mother. Reema Ahmad, an author and counsellor, vividly remembers the day her son came home, his fists clenched in anger.
The boy recounted a harrowing tale of being taunted and called names by his classmates while the teacher was out of the room. He was labelled a “Pakistani terrorist” and even compared to an “insect of the gutter”. Despite his mother’s complaints, the school dismissed the incidents as mere imagination.
Eventually, Ms Ahmad made the difficult decision to pull her son out of school, opting for home-schooling instead. Reflecting on the experience, she notes a stark shift in how Muslims are perceived in India today. With the rise of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country’s 200 million Muslims have faced increasing discrimination and hostility.
From vigilante attacks on suspected cow traders to online hate speech and accusations of “love jihad,” Muslims in India are feeling marginalized and targeted. Despite denials from the BJP and Mr Modi himself, many in the Muslim community feel like second-class citizens in their own country.
The story of Ms Ahmad and her son is just one of many instances where Muslims in India have faced discrimination and prejudice. From children being warned not to interact with Muslim classmates to adults facing suspicion and scrutiny in public spaces, the atmosphere in the country has become increasingly tense.
As a journalist, I spoke with various members of the Muslim community in Agra, from educators to activists, who all shared similar experiences of feeling marginalized and fearful in their own country. The sense of unease and anxiety among Muslims is palpable, with many feeling the need to limit their interactions and be extra cautious in public spaces.
Despite assurances from BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam that rising Islamophobia is not intentional and is exacerbated by media sensationalism, the reality on the ground tells a different story. With no Muslim representation in the BJP’s leadership and a growing trend of Muslims voting against the party, the political and social divide in India is becoming increasingly pronounced.
The stories of discrimination, fear, and marginalization shared by the Muslim community in India serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by minority groups in a country grappling with deep-seated divisions and prejudices. As journalists, it is our responsibility to shine a light on these issues and hold those in power accountable for fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect for all.