Persecution of Muslims in India: Millions at Risk of Losing Citizenship, Push-Ins to Bangladesh Increasing

In various states of India—especially Assam, Odisha, Gujarat, and Delhi—Bengali-speaking Muslims are facing a grim reality. In the name of proving citizenship, many are being taken away, detained in detention centers, and eventually pushed into Bangladesh. A recent documentary by Qatar-based Al Jazeera described this situation as “systematic ethnic persecution.”

At the core of this persecution lies the BJP government’s long-term anti-Muslim political ideology. According to Al Jazeera’s report, policies like the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) are being used to incite the Hindu majority population against Muslims. As a result, even Muslims who have lived in India for decades are now facing an identity crisis.

Experts say Bengali-speaking Muslims are the most affected group. If a person is a Bengali Muslim, they are primarily identified as ‘illegal immigrants’ solely due to their religion and linguistic identity. Journalist Shoaib Danial stated, “Among India’s Muslims, Bengali speakers are the most fearful. Many who were born in India are being declared foreigners if they fail to prove their identity.”

In Assam, 1.9 million people were excluded from the NRC list, the majority being Muslims. Many of them have provided necessary documents like birth certificates, voter IDs, and land deeds. Still, they were declared ‘illegal’ and detained. Many are silently pushed toward the West Bengal or Bangladesh border.

Mainstream Indian media also supports this repressive policy. Most TV channels and newspapers, dependent on government advertising, frequently portray Muslims as ‘disloyal,’ ‘anti-national,’ or ‘involved in terrorism.’ Prominent editor Vaishna Roy notes, “If Muslims are portrayed as threats 24/7, people eventually start believing it as truth.”

More worryingly, there is a trend of bulldozing Muslim homes and mosques. The government claims these are ‘illegal structures,’ but most demolitions happen without court orders.

Filmmaker and researcher Paran Guha Thakurta says, “In Indian politics, the bulldozer has become a symbol of Islamophobia. It is not just a construction tool but a weapon of power.”

India’s Muslim minority is currently facing its greatest crisis—risking loss of citizenship, homelessness, or exile. The future of Indian democracy depends not only on political leadership but also on the roles played by society and the media, analysts say.

The documentary also suggests that India’s current governance views Muslims as second-class citizens. The consequences are not limited to India but are being felt across the border in Bangladesh as well.