June 2023
As evidenced by reports of the incidents presented in this edition of the IPT, minorities continue to face sustained attacks, dehumanisation and discrimination. This is accompanied by India continuing to plummet in its democratic standing, with press freedom for independent and free media at an all time low, and anyone seen to be critical of the BJP government and its politics of Hindutva among other policies , arrested on allegations of disrupting social harmony, terrorism, money laundering, tax evasion and more.
In such a domestic climate, where incitement and violence go unpunished, minorities are criminalised and rendered voiceless, and state institutions misused to serve the interests of the party in power, it is imperative for the international community to step in, to call out the violations, raise alarm, and hold India accountable to its human rights obligations and the responsibility to protect. As we progress towards further state level elections, followed by 2024 parliamentary elections, the already divisive climate and rhetoric will likely become shriller, putting state and society under much stress. The hope for averting crisis lies in shoring up mitigating measures, and strengthening the hands, especially of domestic actors, working for it.