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10 May, 2016

India cannot take social cohesion for granted – Hindustan Times

The NDA government cannot afford to dismiss the issues raised by the report, which have in any case been raised by several Indian civil liberties groups and activists. The situation on intolerance and religious freedom is as dire as the report portrays. Muslims face harassment and are targets of violence and hate campaigns often by politicians and powerful right-wing organisations. As the report says, “Muslims often are accused of being terrorists; spying for Pakistan; forcibly kidnapping, converting, and marrying Hindu women; and disrespecting Hinduism by slaughtering cows”. Christians are harassed by the use of anti-conversion laws in some states. Vigilante violence is on the upswing; and the lack of judicial capacity and weak policing means that victims have little or no recourse to justice.

Read the rest: India cannot take social cohesion for granted | editorials | Hindustan Times