The government must take immediate action to protect its citizens, regardless of their religion. Only then can the country achieve justice for all
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the November 4 attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, calling it a “cowardly act” aimed at intimidating Indian diplomats. He also urged Canadian authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, Modi’s statement has drawn criticism due to the escalating religious violence in India under his leadership.
“This cowardly act is aimed at intimidating Indian diplomats and hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus,” Modi said. “I urge the Canadian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Modi critics point to the increasing violence against religious minorities in India, particularly Muslims and Christians, and question Modi’s response to similar attacks at home. Under Modi’s leadership, attacks on Muslims and Christians have surged, with many perpetrators acting with impunity. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticized Indian authorities for failing to address such violence, with police accused of turning a blind eye to Hindu mobs targeting Muslim-owned businesses, a report in the premier international current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region, The Diplomat, said on Saturday.
It quoted the USCIRF report as saying that despite victims presenting evidence that their properties were legally owned, the police often arrested the victims while allowing demolitions to proceed without due process.
In Haryana, Hindu mobs attacked Muslims during the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, but the state’s response largely blamed Muslims, leading to the demolition of their homes and businesses. This is part of a broader trend of state-sanctioned violence against Muslims, critics argue, The Diplomat report said.
Christian communities are also facing an alarming rise in violence. The United Christian Forum (UCF) recorded over 150 attacks on Christians in the first quarter of 2024, with 687 incidents in 2023. “Christians fear for their safety, not just in rural areas but even in cities,” said Dr John Dayal, a member of the UCF.
In Manipur, 249 churches were destroyed in 2023, yet Modi remained silent for over two months, leading many to believe the government is indifferent to the destruction of religious spaces belonging to minorities.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) reveals 13 incidents of mosque vandalism as of November 2024. Despite these attacks, the Indian government has remained silent, with no action taken against the perpetrators.
“The situation is becoming increasingly unsafe for religious minorities in India,” said Dr Rizwan Ahmed, a social activist. “The government’s inaction is sending a message that these acts of violence are acceptable.”
While Modi’s condemnation of the Brampton attack is justified, critics argue that his government’s failure to address the rising violence against minorities at home undermines his credibility. “If the prime minister truly values justice and the rule of law, these values must apply to all citizens, regardless of their religion,” said former diplomat and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Political analysts warn that the Indian government’s silence on the rising violence reflects a broader trend of impunity for Hindu extremist groups and the marginalisation of minority communities. “Until the government takes concrete action, the rhetoric about justice will ring hollow,” said Manish Tiwari, a political analyst.
For India to move toward true justice, Modi’s government must take immediate action to protect its citizens, regardless of their religion. Only then can the country achieve justice for all, the report said.
