In 2024, India witnessed a disturbing surge in violence targeting its minority communities, particularly Muslims, Christians, and Dalits. The incidents of hate crimes, mob lynchings, assaults, and systemic discrimination have raised serious concerns about the state of communal harmony in the country, particularly as the Lok Sabha General Elections approached.
The most visible aspect of this surge was the targeted violence against Muslims, which spiked in several states. The months of January and February saw incidents that underscored the escalating communal tensions.
In Uttar Pradesh, confrontations over the Azan near a historic mosque led to arrests, while in Karnataka and Gujarat, Muslims were physically assaulted and subjected to economic boycotts. In Telangana, right-wing groups attempted to construct a temple on Waqf property and conducted provocative rallies near mosques, leading to clashes. Further reports of bulldozer actions targeting Muslim-owned properties in various regions highlighted the vulnerability of the community.
This pattern of violence against Muslims continued into February, with incidents in Mumbai, Indore, and Rajasthan. In Mumbai, a Muslim family was assaulted by a mob and forced to chant religious slogans. In Indore, a Muslim youth was attacked for allegedly proposing to a Hindu woman, while in Rajasthan, 12 Muslim homes were demolished over accusations of cow slaughter. The violence extended to other regions as well, with Maharashtra seeing a rise in incidents, including stone-pelting at a state transport bus over disputes concerning loudspeaker usage near a temple. The tragic suicide of a 15-year-old Muslim student in Akola, allegedly due to abuse by school authorities, added to the growing sense of insecurity among the Muslim community.
As the year progressed, incidents of communal violence persisted across the country. In March, Holi celebrations turned violent in several regions, with slogans and symbols aimed at targeting Muslims. In Maharashtra’s Beed district, a mosque wall was defaced with religious slogans, while in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor, a Muslim family faced harassment. The tension was further exacerbated by political leaders’ inflammatory rhetoric, with BJP leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah making controversial remarks targeting Muslims during election campaigns.
April saw political leaders’ speeches further stoking communal divides. Several BJP leaders made remarks that painted Muslims as outsiders, while others promised to revoke reservations for the community. These statements fed into the ongoing tensions, leading to protests and public unrest. The violence continued in May, when a Muslim cattle trader was assaulted in Karnataka, and a journalist mistaken for being Muslim was beaten at an election rally. The desecration of a dargah in Ahmedabad and the ongoing spread of hate speech on social media platforms added fuel to the fire, particularly during election campaigns.
June marked a particularly violent month, with lynchings and assaults continuing to plague the Muslim community. Two Muslim men were killed in Chhattisgarh over alleged cattle transport, while in Aligarh, a Muslim youth was beaten for being romantically involved with a Hindu woman. These incidents revealed a deeply entrenched fault line between communities, with local authorities often accused of either inaction or complicity in perpetuating the violence.
The violence against Muslims intensified from June to September, with multiple incidents drawing national attention. In July, a young Muslim man was killed in Rajasthan by a mob accusing him of cow slaughter. This attack sparked widespread protests and exposed the issue of vigilantism, which many critics argue has been encouraged by the state’s failure to control rising extremism. In August, a violent episode in Maharashtra saw several Muslims attacked during a religious procession. Local authorities were heavily criticised for their delayed response, which allowed the violence to escalate.
Similar incidents continued in September, with Muslims being assaulted in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. In both states, authorities were accused of failing to protect the victims and, in some cases, siding with the perpetrators. The role of social media in fueling these attacks was also highlighted, with unchecked hate speech and inflammatory content exacerbating the violence.
Christians and Dalits were also targeted during this period, although the violence against them did not attract as much media attention. A total of 161 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded, including attacks on churches and prayer meetings. Dalits continued to face severe discrimination, with many subjected to physical and sexual assaults, underscoring the deeply ingrained social inequality they endure.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power at the Centre, justified several of its controversial policies, such as the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi, by arguing that they were efforts to preserve cultural heritage. However, these actions have often led to widespread protests and further polarisation, deepening communal divides in the country.
Siasat.com’s annual tracker revealed the extent of the violence, with incidents spanning across the country’s diverse regions. The violence serves as a stark reminder of the growing communal divide, with the Muslim community, in particular, facing increasing hostility. The government has maintained that its actions are aimed at safeguarding national interests, but the rising violence raises serious concerns about the protection of minority rights and the future of communal harmony in India.
The ongoing incidents of violence have also raised questions about the role of law enforcement and the justice system in addressing communal violence. Human rights groups have called for a comprehensive review of the laws designed to combat religious violence and discrimination. There have also been calls for the government to take more stringent action against hate-driven attacks and to better protect vulnerable communities. However, the political response has been muted, with officials in the affected states either downplaying the incidents or deflecting blame.
As India moves into 2025, the state of communal harmony remains a deeply contentious issue. With minorities continuing to face violence, discrimination, and marginalisation, the question of how to bridge the widening communal divide remains a critical challenge for the nation.
The escalating violence and the growing insecurity felt by minority communities serve as a warning that urgent measures are needed to restore peace and protect fundamental rights.