44 Muslims killed in hate violence in eight months: 2026 could be deadliest year yet
text_fields
New Delhi: At least 44 Muslims have been killed in hate-related violence in India since the beginning of 2026, according to the India Persecution Tracker-2026 report released by human rights organisation South Asia Justice Campaign (SAJC). The report warned that 2026 could become the deadliest year since the tracker began recording incidents in 2022.
The findings point to growing pressure on India’s Muslim minority from state institutions and extremist Hindu groups. The report documented widespread killings, arrests, custodial torture, demolition of homes and businesses, and forced expulsions targeting Muslims, particularly in BJP-ruled states.
Of the 44 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year, 19 were attributed to state forces, including police and security personnel, while the remaining 25 resulted from attacks by extremist Hindu groups.
The SAJC report said people were being killed in alleged fake encounters and through custodial torture, while thousands had been detained in Kashmir.
More than 3,000 buildings, including Muslim homes, businesses and places of worship, have reportedly been demolished using bulldozers since January. Although authorities have justified the demolitions as action against illegal constructions, the report alleged that they were often carried out arbitrarily without following due legal procedures.
The report also highlighted what it described as a worrying situation in West Bengal following the BJP’s victory in the state Assembly election.
According to the report, police were instructed to hand over people accused of being “infiltrators” to the Border Security Force without producing them before a court. The government claimed to have deported 4,800 people during its first month in office.
It also made citizenship verification mandatory for accessing ration benefits and financial assistance for women, while 77 Muslim communities were reportedly removed from the list of groups eligible for reservation benefits.
Restrictions on cattle slaughter imposed shortly before Eid al-Adha disrupted the rural economy, according to the report. Those arrested during protests against the restrictions were booked under a new detention law. The report said the chief minister referred to the protesters as “Friday protesters”.
The report argued that the introduction of Uniform Civil Codes and new laws criminalising alleged disrespect to national symbols was undermining the personal laws and protections available to minorities.
In what it described as a rare conviction, 14 people were sentenced in a cow-protection attack case. However, the woman judge who delivered the verdict reportedly had to be provided with police protection following extremist threats.
The United Nations has also expressed concern over the authorities’ alleged failure to act against hate speech in India, according to the report.
The central government, however, has rejected allegations of discrimination, maintaining that its actions are aimed solely at addressing security concerns and preventing illegal activities, the report said.