How socially engineered hate is taking its toll on Indian Muslims

Fake news and concocted posts targeting Muslims, particularly Indian Muslims, are being extensively propagated on social media. This trend is not new. It has now become ingrained in almost every non-Muslim in India, except a few, that there is something wrong with the Muslim community, thanks to the social media portrayal of the community. The increasing attacks on the Muslim community out of hate are testing how deep-rooted this perception is.

The hate being spread in society targeting Muslims is called social engineering. A set of people would fall into this to become a collective voice to justify their acts against the Muslim community, to gradually make society feel that it is their responsibility to boycott the community.

The recent targeted attacks on the Muslim community, particularly after Narendra Modi assumed power for a third time, are the result of this socially engineered hate, where no one feels even a mere sense of guilt or remorse in attacking or killing their Muslim victims. Most often, the culprits have the good fortune to flee from the grip of the law, thanks to the right-wing leaders who have a good rapport with the authorities and come to their rescue.

The divisive discourse, once confined to political arenas, has now permeated everyday conversations and proliferated through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, amplifying fears and tensions within the Muslim community nationwide.

Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have faced criticism for their use of polarizing language, such as labelling Muslims as "ghuspaithiyon" (infiltrators) and perpetuating stereotypes linking Muslims to terrorism. These remarks, previously sporadic during election campaigns, have become more commonplace, shaping public opinion and fostering an environment of suspicion and fear.

WhatsApp has emerged as a significant conduit for the dissemination of false narratives and fear-mongering. Misinformation about the Israel-Palestine conflict has proliferated widely, falsely alleging widespread support among Indian Muslims for Hamas and drawing misguided parallels between the Gaza conflict and potential future scenarios in India.

Dr. Syed Sajid Husain Kazmi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Amity University in Lucknow, highlights the profound impact of such rhetoric on the mental health of Muslims in India. Reports indicate rising levels of anxiety, depression, and a heightened sense of alienation among the community, exacerbated by discriminatory practices in education and employment.

"The normalization of anti-Muslim discourse has not only strained social cohesion but also fractured communal relations," says Hena Faqurudheen, a psychotherapist specializing in community trauma. Many Muslim clients report feelings of isolation and betrayal as friends and acquaintances endorse Islamophobic narratives without fully comprehending their implications.

Instances of discrimination, ranging from job rejections to social exclusion, underscore systemic inequalities that perpetuate marginalization within the Muslim community. This systemic discrimination, coupled with the unchecked spread of hate speech online, further erodes trust and unity among diverse communities.

In response, there is a growing call for community support and resilience-building initiatives. Faqurudheen emphasizes the importance of cultivating supportive networks to counteract the psychological toll of hate speech and foster a sense of belonging among affected individuals.

Meanwhile, fact-checking organizations like Mohd. Nadeem Siddique's team worked tirelessly to debunk misinformation surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Siddique stresses the imperative of critical thinking and verification before sharing information online, cautioning against the harmful impact of unchecked misinformation in exacerbating societal divisions.

As India grapples with these challenges, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts to combat hate speech and promote intercommunity understanding. Experts advocate for media literacy and responsible social media usage as crucial steps towards mitigating the harmful effects of misinformation and fostering a more inclusive society.

"The complex dynamics of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in India underscore the pressing necessity for dialogue, empathy, and collective action to effectively address these challenges," notes Anant Kamath, a social scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru. Building bridges across communities and promoting understanding remain essential to confronting the divisive forces that threaten social cohesion and harmony in the country.

As India navigates through this period of heightened tensions and polarization, addressing the root causes of anti-Muslim sentiment through education, dialogue, and proactive community engagement is paramount.

This is based on an opinion article written by Bharat Nayak, a freelance journalist, in The Wire.