Modi regime exploits isolated incident to stoke Islamophobia, revive ‘terror’ narrative
New Delhi : In India, an isolated stabbing incident in Maharashtra is being widely sensationalized by the Modi regime as well as Indian media to fuel Islamophobia and reinforce the anti-Muslim narrative.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a man identified as Zaib Zubair Ansari allegedly stabbed two security guards in the Mira Road area of Thane after reportedly asking about their religion. Indian media outlets were quick to draw parallels with last year’s Pahalgam incident in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, despite the absence of any verified evidence linking the accused to any organized group or wider network.
Indian authorities have transferred the case to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which is probing the so-called “lone wolf” angle after claiming to have recovered handwritten notes allegedly referring to lone wolf attacks and the so-called Islamic State from the accused’s residence. A laptop and copies of the Holy Quran were reportedly seized during the raid.
Political analysts and civil rights observers say the hurried projection of the incident as “terror-related” reflects a pattern in India where crimes involving Muslims are immediately communalized and securitized to demonize the entire community. They noted that the repeated mention of the Holy Quran in media reports appears aimed at associating Islam with violence and deepening anti-Muslim sentiment.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed the accused had undergone “self-radicalisation,” while police invoked attempt-to-murder charges and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Observers said the incident is being politically exploited to divert public attention from growing criticism of the Modi regime’s discriminatory policies and its failure to curb rising intolerance and hate crimes against minorities across India.
