“Chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or face consequences” — this alarming message captures the current plight of Indian Muslims, who are experiencing a sharp rise in hate crimes following the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
According to a fact-finding report released by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), there has been a significant increase in anti-Muslim incidents across 19 Indian states since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The report alleges that right-wing extremist groups are behind these coordinated acts of violence, and it highlights the indifference of authorities and lack of intervention from the government.
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The data shows that an average of over 10 hate-related incidents took place each day, including 84 cases of hate speech, 39 physical assaults, 19 acts of vandalism, 12 attempted lynchings, and 3 murders. APCR emphasizes that these are not isolated events, but part of a deliberate and systematic campaign of hostility targeting Muslims.
Over 300 individuals—including women and children—have reportedly faced physical attacks, harassment, or have been forcibly displaced. APCR also warned that the real figures might be much higher due to underreporting, fear of retaliation, and lack of official response.
Specific incidents mentioned in the report include the killing of a Muslim man in Agra by a vigilante group claiming it was “revenge” for the Kashmir attack. In Mangaluru, Karnataka, a man was lynched based on false accusations of chanting pro-Pakistan slogans. In Mumbai’s Santacruz, a woman wearing a hijab and her child were assaulted by a mob, and the bystanders who tried to intervene were arrested.
BJP lawmaker Alok Sharma reportedly suggested forced sterilization of Muslims under the pretext of countering “Love Jihad.” Controversial cleric Yati Narsinghanand again called publicly for the eradication of Muslims.
The report also points to widespread police overreach, such as detaining Muslim men in Mumbai without warrants and the evacuation of Kashmiri students from hostels in Dehradun due to fear of mob violence. In Indore, Muslim women were reportedly denied medical assistance following anti-Muslim rallies.
Symbolic attacks have also escalated. Unfinished mosques have been desecrated, businesses owned by Muslims were vandalized, and disturbing videos surfaced online showing mobs planning coordinated arson. In places like Pune, entire villages banned Muslims from offering prayers at local mosques. In Sitapur, workers involved in mosque construction were labeled “terrorists” and physically assaulted.
