Surge in hate crimes across India post Pahalgam Attack
Recent reports have raised serious concerns about a surge in hate crimes against Muslims and Kashmiris across India, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. This attack which claimed 26 innocent lives has reportedly led to a dramatic increase in violence including hate speech, assaults and even murders. Between April 22 and May 8, the Association of Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) recorded 184 cases of hate crimes nationwide.
The report details various forms of hate, including 84 cases of hate speech, 39 assaults, and 19 acts of vandalism. Among the most disturbing incidents, a Muslim man was violently attacked with an axe in front of his child in Uttar Pradesh, while another was lynched in Jharkhand for allegedly shouting a “pro-Pakistan” slogan. In several instances, Muslims were physically assaulted or threatened by mobs and reports surfaced of people being forced to perform degrading acts.
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have reported the highest number of such incidents. These states, governed by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have seen troubling involvement from Hindu extremist groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in hate-driven activities.
Moreover, Kashmiris living in other parts of India have faced intense hostility, with some being asked to vacate their rented accommodations, while others have been subjected to social and physical attacks. Even young children have not been spared, with reports of a teenager in Aligarh being forced to urinate on a Pakistani flag as punishment for tearing an anti-Pakistan poster.
This rise in hate crimes following the Pahalgam attack highlights a disturbing trend of rising Islamophobia, especially targeting Muslim and Kashmiri communities. The situation raises alarm over the lack of swift action to curb such violence and ensure the safety of these groups.
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