S. M. Riazul Islam
S. M. Riazul Islam is an Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) of Computing Science at the University of Aberdeen. He writes from time to time on various social issues.
India has long relied on the cooperative relationship fostered by Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League in Bangladesh, prioritizing political alliances at the party level over fostering genuine connections with the broader Bangladeshi populace. However, after being ousted from power and fleeing to India, Sheikh Hasina is grappling with mounting challenges and a complex political transition. India’s response to this situation, has raised significant concerns and uncertainties within the region. Indian government-backed narratives, amplified by media and certain religious extremist groups, have increasingly spread disinformation and hostility toward Bangladesh’s interim government and its people. Such actions not only exacerbate domestic tensions within Bangladesh but also risk alienating the Bangladeshi public. This erosion of goodwill threatens to undermine bilateral ties and diminish India's influence in its immediate neighbourhood. Rather than resorting to disinformation and sowing hatred toward a neighbouring country for political gain, India herself should focus on addressing the systemic injustices and discrimination faced by its own minority communities.
Over the decades, India, branded as the world's largest democracy, has faced growing criticism for systemic discrimination and marginalization of its minority communities. These issues have gained international attention, particularly with the rise of Hindu nationalist ideologies under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Muslims, the largest religious minority, have borne the brunt of these policies, though other communities, such as Christians, Dalits, and tribal groups, have also faced targeted oppression. Compounding these domestic concerns, India's treatment of minorities has introduced diplomatic challenges with Bangladesh, its Muslim-majority neighbour.
This article examines key incidents and policies exemplifying the systemic oppression of minorities in India, their far-reaching societal impacts, and how these developments are influencing India’s evolving relationship with Bangladesh amidst a complex and shifting political landscape.
In December 1992, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by Hindu nationalist mobs who claimed it was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram. This act, supported by political mobilization from the RSS and BJP, sparked riots across India, leading to over 2,000 deaths, predominantly of Muslims. The event marked a turning point, embedding religious polarization into India’s political and social landscape.
In 2002, a train fire in Godhra, allegedly started by Muslims, became the catalyst for some of India’s deadliest communal violence. Over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed, with reports of mass sexual violence and displacement. The Gujarat government, led by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, was accused of complicity, with allegations of tacit support for Hindu nationalist mobs. Survivors of the riots continue to struggle for justice amidst delays and systemic hurdles.
The BJP government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir—India’s only Muslim-majority state—of its special constitutional status. This move was accompanied by curfews, communication blackouts, and arrests of political leaders. Critics argued that the decision was aimed at diluting the region's demographic and political identity, further alienating its Muslim population.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 introduced religion-based criteria for granting Indian citizenship, explicitly excluding Muslims while favouring other religious minorities from neighbouring countries. Combined with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), these policies sparked fears of disenfranchisement among Indian Muslims and protests nationwide. The response included violent crackdowns, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, deepening mistrust between communities.
In 2002, the BJP-led state government in Karnataka banned the wearing of hijabs in educational institutions, citing uniform policies. Critics labelled this as a thinly veiled attempt to target Muslim girls, restricting their access to education and undermining religious freedoms. A split verdict by the Supreme Court left the issue unresolved, exacerbating community anxieties.
BJP-ruled states have increasingly used property demolitions as punitive measures against Muslim protesters and alleged rioters, often without due process. Public flogging of Muslim men, as seen in Gujarat in 2022, has further normalized extrajudicial punishments. These actions have drawn criticism for violating constitutional rights and disproportionately targeting minorities.
In 2023-24, ethnic violence in Manipur between the Meitei (majority Hindu) and Kuki (predominantly Christian) communities reflects the fragile state of minority protections. The central government’s delayed intervention and allegations of bias have raised concerns about India's commitment to safeguarding all its citizens.
Underlying these events is the rise of Hindutva, an ideology promoted by the RSS and its affiliates, which seeks to redefine India as a Hindu nation. Since the BJP's ascent to power in 2014, this ideology has increasingly influenced state policies, public discourse, and societal behaviour. Human Rights Watch has documented how BJP leaders and aligned organizations frequently depict Muslims as threats to national security, promoting baseless theories like "love jihad" and justifying violence under the pretext of protecting Hindu sentiments.
The international community has expressed growing concern over India's trajectory. Reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the government's failure to uphold constitutional protections for minorities. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly called for India to be designated a "country of particular concern" due to worsening religious freedom conditions. Yet, domestic mechanisms for accountability remain weak, with judicial delays and societal polarization undermining justice.
The systemic oppression of minorities in India, particularly Muslims, has had notable implications for its neighbouring country Bangladesh, both in terms of societal impacts and diplomatic relations. Given Bangladesh's status as a Muslim-majority nation with a shared history and border with India, these issues have introduced tensions, reshaping bilateral interactions in various ways.
Policies such as the CAA and the NRC sparked significant protests in Bangladesh. The exclusionary nature of these measures, particularly their focus on non-Muslim refugees, was seen as discriminatory and anti-Muslim, generating outrage among Bangladeshi citizens and political groups. India’s threats to deport Rohingya refugees and its limited support for Bangladesh in managing the crisis have caused discontent. Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees and has expressed frustration with India's lack of cooperative efforts despite being a regional power. Anti-Muslim violence in India, such as during the Gujarat riots or the Delhi riots, is often highlighted in Bangladeshi media, reinforcing concerns about the marginalization of Muslims in a neighbouring secular democracy.
The CAA created fears that millions of people labelled as "illegal immigrants" under the NRC in Assam and other northeastern states could be pushed into Bangladesh. This was seen as a direct challenge to Bangladeshi sovereignty and triggered diplomatic protests from Dhaka. India’s claims that Bangladeshi immigrants were a burden on its economy added to the strain, with Bangladesh rejecting these allegations. Bangladesh government expressed concerns over the communal tone of these laws. Despite growing trade and infrastructure ties, such as India providing lines of credit for development projects in Bangladesh, social and political tensions over India’s domestic policies have occasionally overshadowed economic progress. India’s actions risk alienating Bangladesh at a time when China is increasing its influence in South Asia. If India’s policies are perceived as hostile or discriminatory toward Muslims, they could push Bangladesh closer to China for strategic and economic partnerships.
India's treatment of Muslims has also raised security concerns for Bangladesh. Fear of displacement and migration caused by India's policies, such as the NRC, has raised alarm in Bangladesh, which is already burdened with refugee populations. Anti-Muslim narratives in India can fuel radicalization and extremism within Bangladesh, potentially destabilizing the region and complicating counterterrorism efforts. Bangladesh’s position as a Muslim-majority nation often places it in solidarity with global Islamic sentiment. India’s actions, particularly when perceived as targeting Muslims, risk isolating it within the broader Muslim world, with Bangladesh voicing concerns at international platforms like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
While India and Bangladesh have a history of collaboration, particularly under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, whose government had maintained a favourable approach to India, India's relations with Bangladesh are currently strained, particularly following Sheikh Hasina's flight to India in August 2024 amidst mass protests. The development marked a new low point in the deterioration of bilateral relations, as India's response has raised concerns about its acceptance of Hasina's departure and subsequent asylum. Tensions escalated further following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, an ISKCON leader and Sanatani Jagran Jote spokesperson. This arrest provoked violent attacks by radical Hindutva extremists on the Bangladesh Mission in Agartala, including the vandalization and burning of Bangladesh's national flag. Despite India issuing a statement of regret and acting against some security lapses, these incidents—combined with additional provocations like protests against Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in Kolkata—reveal a pattern of hostility. Such actions, fuelled by Indian politicians and media, have intensified feelings of anger and resentment among the Bangladeshi population.
India’s secular fabric, enshrined in its constitution, is under strain. The systemic oppression of minorities, whether through discriminatory legislation, mob violence, or state inaction, challenges the foundational principles of equality and pluralism. These challenges not only deepen internal divides but also have significant repercussions for India's diplomatic relationships, particularly with Bangladesh. India’s reliance on strategic political alliances while neglecting genuine grassroots diplomacy has contributed to the erosion of trust among the Bangladeshi population. The marginalization of Muslims and other vulnerable communities has strained bilateral ties, stirred public outrage, and fuelled fears of instability across borders.
To preserve its democratic ideals and regional partnerships, India must address these systemic issues with a renewed commitment to secularism and pluralism. Grassroots movements and judicial interventions offer glimmers of hope, but meaningful change will require sustained pressure from both domestic stakeholders and the international community. Indian responses to critical situations, such as the attacks on diplomatic missions, suggest a need for India to return to diplomatic norms and exercise restraint. Similarly, open dialogue between India and Bangladesh can help mitigate tensions and reinforce their cooperative relationship, which is vital for regional stability and development. Failure to address these intertwined challenges risks undermining India’s democratic foundations, alienating its neighbours, and compromising its standing on the global stage. Safeguarding the rights of all communities is not just a constitutional mandate but a prerequisite for harmony and progress in a diverse and interconnected South Asia.