Muslim groups express concern over rise in lynchings, religious conflicts after 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Since the announcement of the general election results on June 4, voices have started to be raised against the series of lynchings and bulldozer attacks. Leading Muslim organisations, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, have expressed concern over the rise in targeted hate violence, including lynchings following unproven allegations of cow slaughter. They have called for a statement from the Home Minister, besides the enactment of a special law to address the menace.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expressed “grave concern over the alarming increase in sectarian violence, incidents of lynchings and destruction of property in various parts of the country following the Indian Lok Sabha elections.”

“Nearly a month into the BJP-led NDA government, the government seems to have forgotten its core responsibility of ensuring safety and security of all citizens,” said Jamaat vice-president Salim Engineer. He shared with the media a report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) that tracked the unjust targeting of the Muslim community in the post-election period. According to the APCR report, there were 10 cases of lynching between June 7 and July 5, with incidents reported in Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal, apart from sectarian violence in Telangana, Odisha and Rajasthan. There were targeted bulldozer attacks in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, while attacks on Muslim properties were followed by forced evictions in Himachal Pradesh. In many cases, no arrests have been made yet despite initial reports being registered.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has demanded an immediate end to sectarian attacks targeting Muslims. “The government must take a firm stance against these heinous acts of violence and ensure safety and security of all citizens. We demand strict implementation of the provisions of Article 2 of the Constitution of India, 2023, which provides for stringent punishment for mob lynching, ranging from life imprisonment to death,” said Salim Engineer. He sought a statement from the Home Minister on the matter. Incidentally, Amit Shah had promised immediate action against the lynching incidents when he met with a Muslim delegation shortly before the Indian Lok Sabha elections.

Similarly, Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said, “Mob lynching is a brutal form of violence. We have been seeking a strict law to prevent it for a long time. The Supreme Court has also expressed its displeasure and issued strict directions to the central government to prevent it. But no serious attempt has been made to stop this horrific series of religious-based violence.”

Highlighting the incidents of lynching in Odisha and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Madani appealed to opposition leaders to pressure the government and bring in strict laws to prevent such violence. “I am happy that Rahul Gandhi has raised his voice against violence and hatred in his first speech in Parliament as Leader of the Opposition. I hope that other opposition leaders will follow Mr Gandhi’s lead and raise their voices in Parliament against violence, hatred and injustice,” Madani said.

Shortly after his statement, Jamiat’s Governing Council called for measures to end Islamophobia. The council called for the revival of the National Community Harmony Foundation and the National Integration Council. “These bodies should spearhead programs focused on coexistence, including joint conferences and meetings with influential leaders of all religions,” a Jamiat spokesman said.