Ramadan charity row exposes Islamophobia in Meerut, UP
New Delhi: Tensions erupted in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, after a Ramadan charity drive by 21 Muslim men was met with baseless allegations by a BJP legislator, who accused them of being “infiltrators” and “suspicious,” despite police verification confirming their Indian citizenship.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the men were collecting zakat and fitra for the poor and religious causes when BJP MLA Amit Agarwal alleged that the funds were being diverted to a mosque in West Bengal. Police investigations, however, found no evidence to support the claim.
The incident highlights rising Islamophobia in India, particularly in the run-up to political events, and underscores the precarious position of Muslim citizens exercising their religious and charitable rights.
Community leaders in Meerut appealed for calm, urging authorities and residents to allow peaceful observance of Ramadan.
Legal experts warned that branding citizens as “infiltrators” without evidence not only violates basic rights but also erodes trust between communities and institutions. Social media debates have further exposed the discriminatory narratives used against Muslims under the guise of security concerns.
