Islamophobia is not just a threat to Muslims but also endangers the majority community and the nation’s democratic fabric, said Dr. Ajay Gudavarthy, Associate Professor at the Centre for Political Studies, JNU. He was addressing a gathering at Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s weekly program titled “Beyond Islamophobia” at the organisation’s media hall.
Dr. Gudavarthy analysed the different forms of Islamophobia prevailing in India and across the world. Speaking about the situation in India, he noted that for the past ten years, efforts have been made to marginalise Muslims and reduce them to second-class citizens. However, he stressed that these attempts have not been entirely successful.
He pointed out that authoritarian forces are not only targeting Muslims but also trying to suppress the majority community. “While Muslims are being forced to live in fear, Hindus are also being intimidated in different ways,” he said.
Emphasising the broader implications of Islamophobia, Dr. Gudavarthy stated, “In a secular and democratic country, all citizens should have equal rights. If these rights are taken away from one group, it will eventually affect everyone. If Muslims are deprived of their democratic rights today, Hindus will be next.” He cautioned that breaking the secular structure of the country would ultimately harm the majority community the most.
Addressing economic challenges, he highlighted that Hindus, like Muslims, have also faced financial hardships, rising unemployment, and declining educational opportunities. “Between 2018 and 2019, over 75,000 government schools were shut down across the country, and the majority of students affected by this were Hindus,” he said.
Dr. Gudavarthy also noted how terms like “anti-Hindu,” “anti-national,” and “urban Naxal” are now being used against people who oppose government excesses, much like how Muslims are labelled and targeted.
He urged that Islamophobia should not be viewed merely as a religious issue but as a broader fight for democracy, equality, and fundamental rights. “If we continue seeing this issue only through the lens of religion, we will not be able to counter it effectively,” he asserted.
