Rising concerns over hate crimes against Muslims under Modi 3.0

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* 

Reports of targeted violence against Muslims continue to surface in different parts of India, raising concerns about religious harmony under the Modi government’s third term. In September 2025 alone, at least six incidents from across the country have been documented by the media, highlighting the persistence of communal tensions and the vulnerability of minority communities.

The incidents span several states—Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Bihar—indicating that these are not isolated cases confined to one region. While in many instances the authorities have taken action against perpetrators, the recurrence of such episodes points to deeper questions about social attitudes, law enforcement, and the political environment.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district on September 16, a 35-year-old Muslim man, Aasif Babu Multani, was allegedly lynched by self-styled cow vigilantes while returning from Rajasthan with cattle purchased for agricultural and dairy purposes. His cousin was also injured. Witnesses reported that the attackers accused them of cow smuggling, though no cows were found in their possession.

On September 19 in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim family was attacked by a mob while traveling by car. Reports suggest that the assailants vandalized the vehicle, assaulted the men, and harassed women passengers. A bystander, Shahzad, who attempted to intervene, was also beaten.

A day later, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a mosque imam, Mustaqim, was assaulted after refusing to chant a religious slogan. He later alleged that he was beaten for hours by a group that threatened to bury him on the spot.

In Godhra, Gujarat, a youth named Zakir Jhabha was allegedly beaten inside a police station after being summoned regarding his social media activity. The incident sparked protests, during which several of his relatives and community members were arrested on charges of rioting.

In Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district on September 21, a Muslim procession titled “I Love Muhammad” was disrupted by police for reportedly lacking prior permission. Clashes followed, and several participants were detained in house-to-house searches.

That same day, in Madhubani, Bihar, a dispute over loud music during a Hindu religious procession turned violent when a Muslim resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, requested that the volume be lowered during prayer time. He was subsequently assaulted, prompting condemnation from local community leaders.

Taken together, these incidents illustrate the fragile boundary between everyday disputes and communal hostilities in a diverse society. They also highlight the challenge for law enforcement in ensuring that religious freedoms are protected while preventing escalation into broader conflict.

In a nation constitutionally committed to pluralism, the recurrence of such violence raises urgent questions about the state’s responsibility, social accountability, and the need for stronger mechanisms of dialogue and restraint.

—

 *Journalist based in Chennai