Opposition leaders, rights groups and Muslim organisations say the government’s claims of communal harmony do not match rising reports of mob violence
NEW DELHI —Fresh political debate has erupted after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that communal clashes in the country have reduced since 2014, even as human rights groups and opposition leaders continue raising concerns over mob lynching, hate speech and attacks against Muslims.
Speaking at the State Minorities Commission Conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju said incidents of communal violence had gradually declined across the country after 2014. He also stressed that maintaining law and order remains primarily the responsibility of state governments under the Constitution.
His remarks, however, immediately triggered criticism from sections of civil society, minority organisations and opposition parties, who argued that official claims do not reflect the growing fear among Muslims over lynching incidents, hate campaigns and communal polarisation.
During his speech, Rijiju said, “Maintaining peace and communal harmony is not only the responsibility of governments. Society as a whole must work together to strengthen brotherhood and trust.”
The minister added that in normal circumstances, law and order falls within the powers of state governments unless President’s Rule is imposed.
He also referred to major communal riots in India’s history, including the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the Gujarat riots, while saying that many smaller incidents often do not fully appear in official records.
While the government highlighted a decline in large-scale communal riots, several Muslim groups and rights activists questioned why the discussion often ignores rising incidents of hate speech, social boycott campaigns and mob attacks targeting Muslims.
Community leaders argued that communal violence today increasingly appears in smaller but repeated forms instead of large organised riots.
A social activist in Delhi said, “The nature of communal tension has changed. Earlier, there were large riots. Today, there are lynching incidents, hate speeches, bulldozer actions and targeted harassment, which create fear among minorities.”
Another activist asked why there was no detailed response from the government regarding repeated anti-Muslim speeches by political and religious figures.
“Muslims want to know why leaders speak strongly about harmony but remain silent when open hate speeches are delivered against minorities,” he said.
Hate Speech Reports Show Sharp Rise
Several independent reports released in recent years appear to challenge the government’s broader claims regarding communal harmony.
According to a report by India Hate Lab, 668 hate speech incidents were recorded in 2023 across India. The organisation claimed this number increased to 1,165 in 2024.
The report further alleged that nearly 98 per cent of these speeches targeted Muslims.
Another report cited by activists claimed that the number rose further in 2025, reaching more than 1,300 incidents.
Researchers said many speeches included calls for economic boycott, communal mobilisation and inflammatory remarks against Muslim religious identity and institutions.
The reports alleged that election rallies, religious processions and social media platforms played a major role in spreading anti-Muslim rhetoric.
However, the central government and leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have repeatedly rejected such reports, describing them as biased and politically motivated.
Government representatives maintain that the administration follows equal policies for all citizens regardless of religion.
Mob Lynching Cases
The debate over communal violence in India cannot be separated from the issue of mob lynching, especially cases involving Muslim victims after 2014.
Some of the most widely discussed incidents include the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri in 2015, the lynching of Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan in 2017, the death of Rakbar Khan in 2018 and the killing of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkhand in 2019.
Most of these incidents were linked to allegations involving cow slaughter or communal suspicion.
Human rights groups say such cases created deep insecurity among many Muslims, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
One lawyer working on minority rights issues said, “Even if riot numbers fall officially, repeated lynching incidents create fear in daily life. Many Muslims feel vulnerable while travelling, trading cattle or even expressing religious identity openly.”
The Dadri lynching case remains especially controversial because of criticism directed at attempts to close the matter politically before court intervention reportedly forced reconsideration.
Selective Silence
Opposition parties accused the central government of highlighting a statistical decline in riots while avoiding discussion on communal hate campaigns.
An opposition spokesperson said, “The issue is not only about official riots. Hate speech and targeted violence against Muslims have increased sharply in public spaces and online platforms.”
Critics also alleged that accused persons in some communal cases receive political protection or public support from extremist groups.
Several Muslim organisations say the repeated circulation of communal narratives on television debates and social media has further isolated minorities socially and politically.
Waqf Property Issue
During the conference, Kiren Rijiju also spoke about management and registration of waqf properties.
He warned that delayed registration of waqf lands and properties could create future legal and administrative disputes.
The minister said many waqf properties still lack proper official registration, which may result in ownership conflicts and long court battles later.
He urged state governments and concerned departments to complete pending registrations in a phased and serious manner.
Muslim organisations welcomed the need for proper record management but also expressed concern over increasing political attention on waqf matters in recent years.
One community representative said, “Waqf properties belong to the community and should be protected transparently, but discussions should not create suspicion against Muslim institutions.”
Larger Questions About Democracy
Political analysts believe the debate surrounding Rijiju’s remarks reflects a much larger national conversation about minority rights, constitutional protections and communal relations in modern India.
Supporters of the government argue that India remains peaceful compared to earlier decades and that law-and-order improvements should be acknowledged.
Critics, however, say the form of communal tension has changed from large riots to repeated hate campaigns, localised violence and social intimidation.
For many Muslims, the central concern remains whether constitutional guarantees of equality and security are being felt in everyday life.
As political parties continue debating statistics and narratives, rights groups say the real test lies in whether minorities can live without fear, discrimination or communal targeting in ordinary social life.
