Indian authorities have launched a campaign to demolish over 200 “illegal” homes belonging to local Muslims in the state of Haryana. The authorities claim that the residents of these homes were involved in an attack on a Hindu procession and a subsequent deadly attack on a mosque by a Hindu mob. The demolitions took place in Nuh district, which is adjacent to India’s capital, New Delhi. The violence began on Monday and quickly spread to neighboring areas, including the business hub Gurugram.
Critics have compared this campaign to the practices of the Israeli regime against Palestinians. The demolitions have faced criticism for their lack of due process and questions regarding their legality. Nuh’s state lawmaker Aftab Ahmed, a member of the opposition Congress party, raised concerns about the lack of proper legal procedure before carrying out the demolitions.
This development comes after a railway constable in India killed three Muslim passengers and a colleague on a train, an incident that has been denounced as a targeted “terror attack” against Muslims. Furthermore, a Hindu mob set fire to a mosque and killed an Imam in Haryana’s Gurugram district.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Hindu first” agenda since assuming power in 2014 has exacerbated communal tensions in the country. Hindu nationalists have become increasingly emboldened and have been carrying out violent attacks against the Muslim minority with impunity.
The recent demolitions and targeted attacks against Muslims highlight the alarming rise in violence against marginalized communities in India. It is essential for authorities to ensure the protection of all citizens and uphold the principles of justice and equality.