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Islamabad: A recent report by Human Rights Watch has unveiled troubling patterns of rights violations in India and the region of Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government. The document highlights a surge in violence, systemic discrimination, and the suppression of dissent.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the northeastern state of Manipur has experienced severe ethnic violence since May 2023, resulting in over 200 deaths and the displacement of more than 60,000 people. In Jammu and Kashmir, 40 violent incidents occurred between May and September 2024, resulting in the deaths of 18 civilians, 20 security personnel, and 39 suspected militants. Despite government claims of peace restoration, local voters expressed contradictions during September’s regional elections.
The report also notes a disturbing rise in religious and caste-based violence against minority groups. Incidents include the lynching of a 26-year-old Muslim migrant worker in Haryana and a 72-year-old Muslim man beaten on a train in Maharashtra. Dalit communities also face discrimination, with reports of forced consumption of urine and sexual assault in Uttar Pradesh and police brutality in Madhya Pradesh.
Allegations of abuse by security forces persist, with 121 deaths in police custody and 1,558 in judicial custody reported. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act continues to shield security personnel from prosecution, even in severe abuse cases.
The report further underlines challenges to civil society and press freedom, with India leading in internet shutdowns globally. NGOs face scrutiny under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, and journalists, including Aasif Sultan, have been targeted under stringent laws. Websites critical of the government have been blocked, and foreign journalists have faced visa denials.
Human rights for women and people with disabilities remain a concern, highlighted by the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata and the deaths of 14 residents in a Delhi shelter for disabled individuals. Refugees, particularly the Rohingya, face harsh restrictions, while the Citizenship Amendment Act continues to marginalize minorities.
International reactions include criticism from the European Parliament and accusations from foreign governments, such as Canada, of extrajudicial operations. Analysts warn of an erosion of democratic values in India, calling for international intervention.
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