Abstract
Considering the multi-religious nature of India polity, it was deemed more appropriate by Indian political leadership at the time of independence that the country adopts secular form of governance so that members of all religions may live with equal rights and dignity. At the same time, there was also a counter view that advocated Hindu nationalism and the dream of making India a Hindu Rashtra (nation). This notion found a glimmer of hope after the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with Narendra Modi ascending to power following the 16th Lok Sabha elections in 2014. Although minorities, particularly Muslims have always been victims of crimes based on hate since India’s independence but with Modi assuming power, minorities, particularly Muslims across India have been under extreme repression as lynching by Hindu mobs have become a matter of routine. Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) due to its Muslim majority character has also seen worst forms of brutality which has increased manifold as BJP emerged victorious in the 17th Lok Sabha election as well with absolute majority in May 2019. Emboldened by the re-election, the Modi government while putting aside the democratic norms, decided to crack down on the Muslim character of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only was the Indian occupied State of Jammu and Kashmir stripped of its special status but it was also illegally bifurcated in contravention to the UN resolutions and Nehru’s own promises into two formal Union Territories of India. With this unlawful decision and the brutal suppression of Muslims and other minorities all the claims of India being a secular country have been exposed for the world to see.
