The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s rise to power has created a facade in India’s social fabric, as the plural essence of the Indian society is seriously undermined. Genocide Watch claims that there are convergent forces of the patriarchal and religious that avert violence against Muslim women. The tendency of the increasing discrimination against minorities shows that the process has a complicated nexus of political and social forces that weaken minority rights.
Systematic weaponization of religious and patriarchal exclusion of women is based on an existing myth of purity, which makes female autonomy vulnerable to domination. This establishes heightened communal politics and violence based on gender, normalized gender inequality, and safety, dignity, and complete citizenship. All of these together destroy institutional trust and further fray social cohesion.
The Hindu nationalist rhetoric and associated paramilitary forces have been the leading cause of significant damage to Muslim peoples in India. Muslim women face ongoing attacks on their physical safety and social status, and they seldom receive adequate protection from authorities. They are deprived of the right to be full citizens, which means they lose their freedom, their sense of security, and their right to basic human dignity. Sexual violence and harassment are also used as instruments of power; the perpetrators are often allowed to evade responsibility, and institutional failures are also the source of mistrust. Combined, these forces create a climate of fear at home, reduce trust in legal institutions, and gradually wear away the social fabric.
Justice for All Canada has documented that the facts show these women have been victims of sexual violence as well as public humiliation by Hindu ultra-nationalist organizations, and are predominantly unprosecuted. The cause of this level of violence is the reality that Muslims are still viewed negatively based on Hindutva ideology.
Additionally, many women are being threatened with violence digitally through social media and other digital platforms. They are subjected to online hate campaigns such as Bulli Bai and Sulli Deals, which use artificial intelligence. Women engaged in journalism, political activism, or criticism of the BJP face abuse and intimidation aimed at silencing them. This behaviour fosters a climate of fear and embarrassment, undermining their confidence, integrity, and security, and restricting their participation in society.
Genocide Watch and the Lemkin Institute’s research indicate that Muslims in India suffer sexual violence consistently with patterns of historical Genocide as identified by Dr Gregory Stanton of the United Nations. Sexual Violence against Muslim women is carried out with deliberate intent to destroy the ability of the community to survive, raise children and provide safety for their families; this purpose falls within the UN’s legal definition of Genocide.
Systemic Gendered Violence against Muslim women in incidents such as Gujarat (2002), Muzaffarnagar (2013), and Delhi (2020), often with police and political backing, has intensified social divisions and empowered specific Political Groups. The lack of accountability for Perpetrators has created a Climate of Fear and Impunity, endangering the dignity and existence of affected communities.
Women of the Dalit caste in India are subjected to constant abuse and discrimination, and their caste background makes them susceptible to sexual violence and makes recovering justice difficult. The justice system can either overlook or fail to handle these attacks. According to Human Rights Watch, there is widespread harassment, rape, and social exclusion that is aggravated by deeply rooted caste hierarchies.
The combination of gender and caste is a further aspect that enhances marginalisation , which lead to isolation and underreporting. The police and legal system should be reorganized with the safety and voices of the stigmatised women being considered a priority, honesty and accountability being the key elements to achieve the positive changes.
Justice for All Canada urges taking measures in response to Genocide Watch’s findings. Justice for All Canada calls on authorities to act on Genocide Watch’s report documenting sexual violence against marginalized women, including Muslims and Dalits. The association calls for Magnitsky-type sanctions against the perpetrators of the offences, and for a UN fact-finding task force to gather evidence and protect the victims.
These measures are aimed at bringing the issue to account and showing international concern for the rights of vulnerable females in India. Otherwise, robust diplomatic solutions and sanctions are needed to ensure that the oppressed groups in India feel safe and that their rights are not compromised. The international community must focus on rescuing victims and restoring pride in the affected communities.
