A fact-finding report released by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has shed light on the alarming breakdown of law and order in Himachal Pradesh, exposing the vulnerability of Muslim migrants and the role of local authorities in fuelling communal tensions. The report, titled “Creating the Muslim ‘Outsider’: Hate Speech, Migrant Vulnerability and Faltering Law & Order in Himachal Pradesh,” highlights distressing incidents across regions like Shimla, Sanjauli, Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Palampur, calling for urgent action to address the deepening crisis.
The press conference unveiling the report, held at the Press Club of India, was attended by a range of prominent figures, including human rights advocates, legal professionals, journalists, and former bureaucrats. Key panellists included Supreme Court Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Sanjay Hegde; activist Syeda Hameed; former Deputy Mayor of Shimla, TikenderPawar; and freelance journalists Kaushik Raj and Srishti Jaswal.
Pamela Philipose, a senior journalist and moderator of the event, opened the discussion by emphasizing how communal agendas have overshadowed more pressing societal concerns, pointing to the increasing frequency of communal violence in India.
During the conference, the fact-finding team shared their first-hand experiences, detailing the climate of fear in Himachal Pradesh. Nadeem Khan, APCR National Secretary, criticized the state government, accusing it of failing to uphold the rule of law and enabling a “parallel government” run by right-wing groups like BJP and RSS.
Srishti Jaswal recounted how she witnessed fear permeating the region during her 20-day visit, with residents – particularly women – too afraid to speak on record.
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