The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the recent surge in attacks on Muslims across the country following the Lok Sabha election results. The CPI(M) accused the BJP of attempting to heighten religious tensions in the wake of its electoral setbacks.
Since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, secured a narrow majority in the elections, six reported hate crimes have resulted in deaths within the past three weeks. Despite these incidents, the 26-party opposition coalition, INDIA, has faced criticism for its silence. The CPI(M) is the first party within the coalition to publicly denounce the violence.
In a statement, the CPI(M) highlighted that the BJP and Hindutva forces are intensifying communal polarization in response to their electoral losses. The party noted that several lynchings, demolitions, and communal incidents have occurred not only in BJP-ruled states but also in states governed by Congress.
Among the reported incidents:
– In Chhattisgarh, three Muslim men transporting bullocks were killed by cow vigilantes in Raipur.
– In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim man was beaten to death on theft allegations.
– In Mandala, Madhya Pradesh, 11 Muslim homes were demolished following claims of “beef” being found in refrigerators.
– In Lucknow’s Akbarnagar, over a thousand predominantly Muslim families faced the demolition of their homes for riverfront construction.
Additionally, in Gujarat’s Vadodara, Hindu residents protested against a Muslim woman being allotted a flat under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme. In a separate incident in Gujarat, 23-year-old Salman Vohra was beaten to death with bats and knives during a cricket match.
In Himachal Pradesh’s Nahan, a Muslim shop owner’s property was vandalized and looted after allegations of cow sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, forcing all 16 Muslim shop owners in the town to flee. Similarly, in Delhi’s Sangam Vihar, residents fled following provocative speeches by Hindutva groups after a cow carcass was found near a place of worship.
In response to these events, the CPI(M) has urged its units nationwide to stay vigilant and organize protests against these attempts to incite communal tension and distract the public from pressing issues.