The Violence Against Muslim Indians
Recent events in India's Haryana state have seen a rise in violence against Muslims, leading to fear and tension in the community. The violence began on August 2nd when Hindus and Muslims clashed during a religious procession in Haryana's Nuh district, resulting in the deaths of five people. Since then, mobs have torched Muslim-owned shops, a mosque, and killed its imam, leading to deserted streets and heightened tensions.
This is not the first time that tension between Hindus and Muslims has led to violence in India. The two communities have a long history of periodic deadly clashes. The situation in Haryana has become so tense that the state government has banned all mobile internet and SMS services in Nuh district until August 2nd in an attempt to stop the spread of violence.
The violence in Haryana has raised concerns about the safety of Muslims in the area. Some have even questioned whether the violence is part of an effort to carry out "ethnic cleansing" of the Muslim community. Far-right Hindus in Haryana have launched a boycott to expel Muslims from the area, further exacerbating tensions.
The situation in Haryana is a reminder of the importance of promoting peace and understanding between different communities. It is crucial that authorities take swift action to prevent further violence and protect the safety of all citizens, regardless of their religion or background.
Indian Muslims submitting an application for asylum based on religious persecution in India should consider the following in order to strengthen their claim:
1. Documenting past persecution. If the applicant has faced persecution in the past, they should provide evidence to support their claim. This can include police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
2. Demonstrating a well-founded fear of future persecution. If the applicant has not faced persecution in the past, they can still be eligible for asylum if they have a well-founded fear of future persecution. Part of this involves providing evidence of the current situation in India, including reports of violence against Muslims and discriminatory policies.
3. Highlighting the discriminatory policies of the Indian government. The Indian government has been accused of discriminating against Muslims, including through the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which makes irregular immigrants from Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan eligible for citizenship, but excludes Muslims. The applicant can use such evidence of the government's discriminatory policies towards Muslims.
4. Seeking assistance from human rights organizations. Human rights organizations can provide support to asylum seekers and help them document their claims. For example, Human Rights Watch has documented discrimination against Muslims in India, which may be helpful for asylum seekers.
5. Seeking legal assistance. Asylum seekers should seek legal assistance from an experienced immigration lawyer to help them navigate the complex asylum process and present a strong case for asylum.
Overall, the applicant should provide as much evidence as possible to support their claim for asylum based on Muslim persecution in India. This can include documentation of past persecution, evidence of the current situation in India, and support from human rights organizations and legal professionals.
