Once associated with Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, India now stands at a turning point—one that has become unlivable for minorities, especially Muslims. Under Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP, the Hindutva ideology has evolved from a political tool into official state policy, turning hatred into the “new normal.”
Tensions between India and Pakistan, which have simmered for decades over Kashmir, flared up again following an armed attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. India claimed the attackers came from Pakistan and responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, freezing diplomatic relations, and halting visa issuance. Pakistan, calling these moves an act of war, severed trade ties, closed its airspace, and vowed retaliation. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 6, targeting three regions in Pakistan with missile strikes. These attacks killed several civilians and left others critically injured. In retaliation, Pakistan announced it had downed five Indian aircraft.
With both nations possessing nuclear weapons, these recent developments have set off alarm bells not just in South Asia, but around the world. But what’s behind this march to war?
Once known for its democracy, secularism, and adherence to Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, India today is teetering at a breaking point, especially for its Muslim population. Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have transformed the Hindutva ideology into a tool of governance, turning hatred into everyday policy.
A closer look at Narendra Modi’s political career reveals that it was built on a foundation of hate. His rise began with the 2002 Gujarat riots, stained with the blood of Muslims. Around 2,000 Muslims, most of them women and children, were killed. Modi, who was Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time, was accused of deliberately failing to stop the violence—and in some cases, of even encouraging it. This marked the moment when Hindutva ideology fully merged with Modi’s identity.
Following these events, Modi strengthened the ideological structure of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a fascist and ultra-nationalist organization that seeks to turn India into a “Hindu Rashtra.” The biggest obstacles to this dream are seen as the Muslim population within India and Pakistan outside it. Consequently, Muslims are systematically marginalized in education, the economy, and public life, while Pakistan is consistently portrayed as a permanent enemy.
International organizations, human rights groups, and independent journalists have long highlighted Modi’s dark past. Yet Modi has never apologized for the massacres—nor shown the slightest remorse. On the contrary, his silence is perceived by his supporters as a sign of “strength.” So where does this hatred come from? What does Modi gain by fueling it? And now, with India’s economy and domestic situation so fragile, what is he hoping to achieve by provoking war?
The politics of Modi and the BJP are fundamentally rooted in hate. Before and after every election, India sees a rise in anti-Muslim violence, hate speech, and war cries against Pakistan. In the 2014 and 2019 elections, they campaigned on promises to “teach Pakistan a lesson” and “put Muslims in their place.”
The airstrike on Balakot following the Pulwama attack is a striking example. Despite being militarily insignificant, Modi framed the strike as a major “victory” and used it for political gain. Similarly, the 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s special status (Article 370) was marketed as a triumph over Pakistan and Muslims. In reality, Modi is constantly looking for an “enemy” to divert public attention from issues like unemployment, farmer protests, inflation, and economic crisis—and that enemy is often Muslims or Pakistan.
Here are some of the state policies implemented under Modi that target Muslims:
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while excluding Muslims.
National Register of Citizens (NRC): In Assam, millions of Muslims were declared “foreigners” for lacking documentation. Families who’ve lived in India for generations now beg for citizenship.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Targets Islamic family law and increases state interference in Muslim private life.
Babri Mosque Verdict: A historic mosque belonging to Muslims was demolished, and courts paved the way for a Hindu temple to be built in its place.
Mob Lynching in the Name of Cow Protection: Dozens of Muslims have been lynched by mobs over allegations of carrying beef.
Targeting Mosques, the Call to Prayer, and the Headscarf: Complaints against the call to prayer, bans on the headscarf, demolitions of mosques, and bulldozing of Muslim homes are part of a coordinated campaign. Examples include hijab-wearing students being barred from classes in Karnataka and Muslim homes being destroyed without court orders in Uttar Pradesh.
The message is clear: India is for Hindus only. Muslims must either accept second-class status or leave.
Despite this tragic reality, the international community—especially Western nations—remains silent on the state terrorism unfolding in India. There are several key reasons for this. First, economic interests: India is a major market and an attractive destination for Western investors. Human rights are conveniently ignored for the sake of profits. Second, India is seen as a counterbalance to China. The U.S. and its allies view India as a strategic partner in containing China, and thus turn a blind eye to Modi’s domestic authoritarianism. Third, Indian media propaganda plays a role. State-controlled outlets manipulate global perception by portraying Muslims as “terrorists,” “traitors,” or “Pakistani agents.”
By opening an anti-Pakistan front, the Modi government gains several strategic advantages. War rhetoric fosters a fake sense of patriotism and unity at home, serving to consolidate a fragile national identity. Failing in domestic policy, Modi regains public support through military operations and war talk. When global criticism mounts over human rights abuses, Modi manufactures a crisis to shift the spotlight.
After the terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack and took several retaliatory actions. The most dangerous of these was the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960.
Under this agreement, India was allocated the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan was given the western rivers (Sindh, Jhelum, Chenab). Suspending this treaty could have devastating consequences for Pakistan’s agriculture, water resources, and economic stability. Pakistan has described this move as "water terrorism," and it constitutes a clear violation of international law.
After the suspension of the treaty, India closed the Wagah-Attari border crossing, recalled its diplomatic personnel, and increased military activity along the Kashmir border. Indian media continuously generated war scenarios, further stoking public sentiment for a potential war.
Meanwhile, Pakistan notified the UN and other international organizations that these actions threatened not only regional peace but humanity itself.
The most critical question now is: What will Modi gain if he continues the war against Pakistan after the recent conflict?
Firstly, India’s economy is on shaky ground. According to reports from the IMF and the World Bank, unemployment is at its highest level in 45 years. A full-scale war would devastate the economy and destroy investor confidence. Additionally, both Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed nations. A war could affect not only South Asia but the entire world. A nuclear conflict would be a disaster for global peace. Moreover, the Indian public is starting to understand Modi’s warlike policies. If the war affects civilians, significant public backlash may follow. It must also be remembered that Pakistan’s military has strong defensive capabilities. Its response to India has shown the world this once again. Just like in the example of February 27, 2019, Pakistan shot down Indian warplanes. A full-scale war could result in heavy military losses for India.
What is happening in India today is not just an attack on one minority, but a rebellion against democracy as a whole. If the world remains silent today, this fire will engulf the entire region tomorrow. The murder of Muslims, the confiscation of their rights, and the attempt to erase their identity are harbingers of genocide. It is time for international organizations, human rights groups, and the global conscience to awaken. Otherwise, history will question those who remain silent today – just as we question the silences of the past.
Narendra Modi’s politics are on a dangerous path. By fueling hatred, fascism, and radicalism, he may gain short-term political benefits, but the long-term consequences will be disastrous. If India’s 200 million Muslims continue to live under oppression, domestic peace will break down, and the ongoing hostility toward Pakistan will bring the entire region to the brink of war.
What is needed today is for global institutions, particularly the United Nations and human rights organizations, to take India’s religious radicalism and anti-Pakistan hostility seriously. Peace in South Asia is only possible if India abandons its expansionist, fascist, and Islamophobic policies.
