IHRC is calling on the campaigner to write Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab to stop the Indian government’s complicity with the vigilante groups attacks on Muslims in the name of “cow protection”.
Background
Since the electoral victory of the ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its notoriously anti-Muslim leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, there has been a significant increase in the mob attacks against the Muslim and Christian minority in India. Modern cow protection groups subscribe to the belief of divine cow, which fulfils all desires: “Its horns symbolize the gods, its four legs, the ancient Hindu scriptures of the Vedas and its udder, the four objectives of life, including material wealth, desire, righteousness and salvation.”
These religious groups’ campaigns have led to stringent laws and a rise in the numbers of cattle protection groups, incited by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Especially since the enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (regulation of livestock markets) rules in 2017. According to the Human Rights Watch report, Between May 2015 and December 2018, around 44 people were killed in such attacks, and 36 of those killed were Muslims. The report states that “Police often stalled prosecutions of the attackers, while several BJP politicians publicly justified the attacks.”
The finding is in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-Muslim reputation due to his involvement in the Gujarat Massacre. President Modi has made a career himself by instigating violence against Muslims. It appears that he continues to instigate anti-Muslim hate and violence as part of his political campaign as human rights groups have serious evince to think that the BJP is complicit with the mob attacks.
Action required
- Write to the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab to urge him to adopt necessary policies to cease mob attacks against Muslims and other faith groups in India.
- Forward any responses you receive to us on info@ihrc.org so we can develop this campaign further.
- Share this alert and the reports and resources, and encourage others to join this campaign.
- Please ensure you share verified stories and information. Despite this situation existing for decades, mainstream media has only given it importance now, often spreading unverified reports and cases.
Model template
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
Dear Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State,
Re: vigilante groups’ attacks on Muslims.
I am writing to urge your office to take action against the Indian government to stop vigilante groups’ attacks on Muslims in the name of cow protection. Reports have been emerging that since 2015, there has been a significant increase in the mob attacks against India’s Muslim and Christian minority. Especially since the enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (regulation of livestock markets) rules in 2017.
According to the Human Rights Watch report, Between May 2015 and December 2018, around 44 people were killed in such attacks, and 36 of those killed were Muslims. The report states that “Police often stalled prosecutions of the attackers, while several BJP politicians publicly justified the attacks.”
I look forward to your reply regarding this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
Recipient email address
dominic.raab.mp@parliament.uk
