Recently, India’s Supreme Court warned that attacks against Muslims had become a “new normal.” Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, discrimination and violent episodes have sparked nationwide. More unnerving, both the Indian government and other major countries are complicit in such violence. Their inaction and support of violence reflect the deep religious divides and Islamophobia in India.
For too long, Muslim communities have faced structural barriers in receiving employment, housing, and education. This has plunged millions of Muslims into poverty, and granted exclusive privilege to other religious groups. While the Indian constitution grants broad egalitarian protections, Muslims have been ignored in the eyes of the law. With justice inaccessible to them, they face an uphill battle when fighting inequality. Making matters worse, India’s government had done little to come to the defense of Muslim communities. Due to unequal education opportunities and sharp islamophobia sentiments, Muslims lack representation in government. Although they make up a large portion of the population, only five seats in the legislature were held by Muslims. If anything, the government has provoked violence, and proven itself biased against Muslims. The Citizenship Amendment Act granted exclusive citizenship for all but Muslim migrants. The amendment rejected suffering Muslims coming from countries such as Syria. The UN Human Rights Office dubbed the Citizenship Amendment Act “fundamentally discriminatory.” Meanwhile, the government actively sponsors anti-Muslim propaganda, which is also promoted by the country's media. It often crafts conspiracies around Muslims, thus deepening India's religious divisions. Most terrifying, violence has heightened during Modi’s rule, with mob attacks becoming one of the most common expressions: Vigilantes attack anyone suspected of being Muslim. Each year, violence kills tens of thousands of Muslims. A 2019 report found that half the police have an “anti-Muslim bias, making them less likely to intervene in stopping crimes against Muslims.” Thus, Islamophobia has weakened both the rule of law and the accountability of the police. Undoubtedly, the Indian police are complicit in anti-Muslim violence. Powerful democratic nations fashion themselves as the protectors of human rights. Nonetheless, very few have recognized these Muslim atrocities, nor India’s involvement. Influential nations should encourage the Indian government to fight against these crimes rather than being complicit in causing them. Muslim communities cannot afford any more silence. Regardless of where you live, you can help. Urge all governments to condemn all anti-Muslim injustice. India is now one of the most dangerous countries for Muslims to live in. Every day, they are persecuted psychologically, economically, and violently. Since the birth of its democracy, India has been committed to equality — now, it seems, Modi is abandoning this commitment. Sources:
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Nakba Day, meaning "Day of Catastrophe" in Arabic, is a day to remember the displacement and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948. Nakba Day serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle faced by Palestinians, and the urgent need for a fair resolution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Broadly, Nakba Day is a call for peaceful action from policymakers and diplomats.
The Nakba refers to the series of events that occurred between 1947 and 1949 when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes, villages, and towns, and hundreds of Palestinian communities were destroyed or depopulated. This mass displacement and dispossession occurred as a result of the creation of the State of Israel and the subsequent Arab-Israeli war. The Nakba had a profound and lasting impact on the Palestinian people. Owing to the Nabka, millions of Palestinians have grown up in refugee camps and been denied their right to return to their ancestral lands. The loss of homes, land, and livelihoods remains a deeply felt injustice, leaving a lasting scar on the Palestinian collective memory. Crucial to the Nakba is the issue of the “Right of Return” for Palestinian refugees. UN General Assembly Resolution 194, passed in 1948, recognized the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and called for their just compensation. However, this directive has not been implemented. Millions of Palestinian refugees remain in exile, longing for justice and the opportunity to return to their homeland. Furthermore, Nakba Day serves as a global platform for Palestinians and their supporters to express solidarity and raise awareness about the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people. It is a day of protest, remembrance, and resistance, with rallies, marches, cultural events, and educational activities taking place in various parts of the world. By bringing attention to the Nakba and its consequences, international bodies can work towards a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. In pursuing peace, the Nakba and its ongoing ramifications underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and equitable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A just solution must address the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring self-determination, security, and dignity for all parties involved. Meaningful dialogue, negotiation, and international involvement are necessary to achieve a lasting peace and a future where Palestinians and Israelis can coexist in harmony. At large, Nakba Day is a solemn occasion that demands reflection and recognition of the historic injustices faced by the Palestinian people. It is a call for individuals, governments, and the international community to work towards a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, one that upholds the rights and dignity of all people involved. Only through dialogue, empathy, and a commitment to justice can we hope to create a future where the wounds of the Nakba are healed and lasting peace is achieved in the region. |
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