Islamophobia in India

Abstract

The Indian Muslims are numerically largest among the South Asian nations. They constitute the largest minority in India. Since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 that ended British colonialism and resulted in freedom of India and creation of Pakistan, those Muslims that remained in India have been suffering immensely at the hands of Indian State, save for a minority of elites who have ‘progressed.’ This paper explores systematic Islamophobia in India against Kashmiris and Indian Muslims and how it impacts Muslims across the country despite diversity in the community. A historical analysis is first offered, tracing the long history of Islamophobia in India to British rule which acted as a catalyst in furthering the divide, animosity and hatred among the two communities. Through an analysis of Hindu communal organizations, the role of media and politics, the paper deliberates on the relationship between Islamophobia and communal riots in India, with case studies about the lived realities of Indian Muslims, who are legally entitled to be equal citizens of free India.