Rising intolerance: Indian police arrest Muslim nurse in Assam for Pakistan I-Day greeting
Dispur: In a troubling reflection of rising intolerance and hostility fostered by the BJP and its affiliated Hindutva groups, Indian police have arrested a Muslim woman nurse in saffron party-ruled Assam state for extending greetings on Pakistan’s Independence Day.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Muslim woman identified as Anwara Khatun, who works as a nurse at a local hospital in Tamulpur, was taken into custody by the police after she shared a WhatsApp status celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14. The post triggered a swift backlash from members of the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal, who vehemently protested and demanded her arrest.
The arrest of Khatun, viewed by many as an overreach and an attempt to suppress personal expressions of identity, highlights the escalating hostility towards Muslims under the BJP administration. Critics argue that this action exemplifies the government’s broader pattern of intolerance and repression against religious and cultural minorities.
Human rights advocates and the Muslim community have condemned the arrest, denouncing it as an infringement on freedom of expression and a clear manifestation of the BJP’s growing animosity towards Muslims. The incident is seen as indicative of a broader climate of fear and repression cultivated by the ruling party and its allies.
