Prominent figures pen letter to Modi over growing persecution of Muslims
New Delhi: Seventeen influential retired Indian civil servants, diplomats and public figures have voiced their concerns over the escalating persecution of Muslim in India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, retired Indian civil servants, diplomats and public figures in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a marked rise in discrimination and violence against minority communities, particularly Muslims, since 2014, when Narendra Modi’s government assumed power.
In the open letter addressed to Modi, the signatories, including former Lt-Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, and ex-Planning Commission Secretary NC Saxena, emphasized the unprecedented partisan role of state governments in recent years. They warned of growing anxiety and insecurity among minorities, citing incidents of lynching, Islamophobic hate speech, and targeted attacks on Muslim homes and businesses as indicative of a troubling trend. The letter criticized certain state administrations for fostering an environment of intolerance and failing to protect the rights of minorities. They accused some governments of turning a blind eye to violence, further exacerbating communal tensions.
The signatories highlighted specific cases of concern, such as public calls by right-wing groups to survey historic mosques and Sufi shrines, including the Ajmer dargah. These actions, they said, aim to rewrite India’s pluralistic history and undermine its secular ethos. They also pointed to the judiciary’s rapid response to such demands despite protections under the Places of Worship Act, warning that this undermines India’s constitutional commitment to pluralism.
The letter urged Prime Minister Modi to:
l Publicly denounce divisive rhetoric and violence.
l Ensure state governments uphold constitutional values.
l Convene an interfaith dialogue to reaffirm India’s secular identity.
The signatories cautioned that the ongoing polarization could impede India’s progress and development. They stressed that fostering inclusivity and safeguarding India’s pluralistic heritage are vital to the nation’s democratic and cultural future.
