ISLAMABAD: Recent international human rights assessments have highlighted adisturbing pattern of systematic state-sponsored violence against Muslimsin India, raising serious concerns about the erosion of religious freedomsand minority protections in the world’s largest democracy. Advocacy groupshave reported a significant escalation in extrajudicial incidents during2025, prompting calls for urgent international scrutiny and accountability.
The data reveals that at least 50 Muslims lost their lives in allegedextrajudicial incidents throughout 2025, encompassing both state-involvedactions and violence perpetrated by non-state actors aligned with extremistideologies. Of these, 23 deaths were linked to security forces, includingpolice and armed personnel, often occurring during operations, custody, oreviction drives. This figure marks an increase from previous years, with 21such incidents documented in 2024 and 20 in 2023, indicating a troublingupward trend in state-related fatalities.
Reports further indicate that 27 additional killings were attributed toHindu extremist groups, frequently motivated by religious identity andinvolving accusations related to cattle or perceived violations of culturalnorms. These incidents underscore a broader climate of impunity, wherevigilante actions appear to operate with minimal repercussions,exacerbating communal tensions and insecurity among Muslim populations.
Forced evictions and punitive demolitions have emerged as a prominentmechanism of collective punishment, disproportionately affecting Muslimcommunities in states governed by the ruling party. Authorities haveconducted large-scale operations, displacing thousands of families,particularly Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, under the pretext ofreclaiming land or enforcing regulations. Such actions have involved thedestruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship, often without dueprocess or adequate notice, in defiance of judicial directives mandatingprocedural safeguards.
The escalation in 2025 has been linked to heightened political rhetoric andpolicy measures that critics argue institutionalize discrimination.International observers have noted the persistence of laws and practicesthat marginalize minorities, contributing to an environment where violencethrives unchecked. Incidents in conflict-prone regions like Jammu andKashmir have been particularly severe, with reports of civilian deathsduring security operations amid allegations of torture and arbitrarydetentions.
Human rights documentation emphasizes that these violations extend beyondisolated events, forming part of a systemic pattern that includes arbitraryarrests, custodial deaths, and denial of medical care to detainees.Families of victims frequently allege cover-ups and lack of independentinvestigations, perpetuating a cycle of distrust in state institutions.
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The reported rise in extrajudicial killings and evictions has drawncondemnation from global watchdogs, who warn of increasing risks toreligious minorities amid ongoing polarization. The situation demandsimmediate reforms to ensure impartial law enforcement and protection offundamental rights, as the international community closely monitorsdevelopments in India.
Source: https://southasiajusticecampaign.org/ipt2025
Justice Campaign
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