Communalism

There has been a spate of hate speeches, each evoking reportedly shared anti-minority sentiments by stoking tropes of large Muslim neighbourhoods, cow slaughter, “love-jihad”

Persistent assaults on Christian institutions and gatherings spark concern as right-wing Hindutva groups allege forced conversions which has led to arrests and tensions in multiple districts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Twenty-two years ago, almost to the day, Bilkis Bano gave an oral statement recounting the horrors of what she had been through, to Communalism Combat magazine. Given the rather glaring trajectory of the case, where despite Bilkis’ Complaint, FIR with detailed facts, recounting the incident and naming accused, the Godhra police filed a ‘closure’ report (A Summary) which was even accepted by the local court, it is crucial that we re-visit, and read, in Bilkis’ words, her tale. Following the failures of the local administration, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) provided her the legal aid to ensure she finally does find justice, and peace.

From Madhya Pradesh to Karnataka, vigilante groups reportedly consisting of members from Hindutva organisations are reportedly accosting and beating Muslim youth across the country.

From Manipur to Delhi, Christians look back, with CJP, at the year that was 2023, reflecting with pain and regret, living amidst discrimination and violence

A war of conscience and powerful words has broken out among the Indian Catholic clergy after Prime Minister Modi’s Christmas invite (December 25, 2023) to select church heads, who then circulated videos bowing in abject praise to the leader; a public campaign “Not in Our Name” was sought to be curtailed by some priests, leading to a powerful Open Letter from Father Anand in Varanasi

Conservative and right-wing groups rise in power across the world, a growing number of citizens are inevitably consuming and accepting the ideology they seek to preach.

A month-long campaign of a multitude of online and offline events  called Jana Gana Mana Abhiyan has been launched in an effort to re-vitalize citizens who take pride in India’s rich, diverse, plural cultural heritage and work towards a society based on constitutional values. 

According to reports, three incidents of mob lynching of Muslims have taken place in the state. This is the fourth incident in West Bengal this month where a Muslim has been lynched by vigilante groups on the suspicion of theft.

A December 26 post on X by controversial chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, openly glorifying the “heroic” characteristics of the “Kshatriya” (dominant, “warrior-ruling” caste) and demeaning the Shudra (toiling, artisan sections of society) saying their duty is to "serve" Brahmins, Kshatriyas Vaishyas has generated outrage and controversy