India records 65 hate crime incidents in Sept, Muslims most targeted
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Hyderabad: A series of incidents involving alleged hate crimes, caste-based discrimination and religious intolerance were reported across India in September, with Muslims and Dalits among the communities most frequently targeted, according to Siasat.com.
The publication documented 65 incidents during the month, including 42 cases involving Muslims, 14 targeting Dalits, five concerning Christians and four involving Hindus.
The incidents ranged from physical assaults and alleged police discrimination to demolitions of religious structures and restrictions on religious expression. They were reported across several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
Among the cases were attacks on individuals over their religious identity, allegations of caste-based abuse and violence against people opposing religious demands. In Delhi, a man interviewed on a YouTube podcast claimed responsibility for seriously injuring a Dalit protester during a demonstration against the NEET paper leak.
Several religious sites also faced demolition or partial removal. These included mosques in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and a church in Maharashtra, with local communities questioning the circumstances surrounding the action.
Other reported incidents involved Muslim police officers allegedly facing adverse treatment over religious expressions, journalists claiming assault during reporting assignments and students facing religious or caste-based harassment.
The compilation also highlighted incidents during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, including clashes, vandalism and disputes involving religious communities.
With IANS inputs