Escalating Religious Marginalization And Political Suppression – OpEd

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Over the past decade, there has been growing concern among the Sikh community regarding incidents of sacrilege and perceived government indifference towards their religious and political grievances.

Numerous cases of desecration of Sikh religious texts, combined with a lack of significant legal action, have fueled a sense of marginalization. The Sikh community in India, a minority comprising roughly 2% of the population, has faced increasing marginalization and oppression in recent years. With the rise of right-wing extremism and the influence of Hindu nationalist ideology, there has been a systematic disregard for Sikh religious symbols, beliefs, and political concerns. The situation has escalated particularly under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the state’s actions are seen not as a defense of law and order but as targeted suppression of Sikhs’ political and religious freedoms. While the world often celebrates India’s democratic ideals, the realities for its Sikh minority paint a troubling picture.

For over a decade, the Sikh community has been grappling with the rampant desecration of their sacred texts. Incidents of sacrilege have become a common occurrence, and the government’s response to these acts has been disturbingly apathetic. In particular, there has been little accountability or legal action taken against the culprits, exacerbating the Sikh community’s grievances. Reports suggest that since 2015 alone, more than 200 cases of sacrilege have been recorded, yet significant convictions remain absent. This glaring negligence by the authorities has fueled a growing sense of alienation and distrust within the Sikh community.

The rise of extremist Hindu nationalism has played a critical role in deepening the schism between the Sikh community and the Indian state. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, and other allied groups have often promoted a vision of India as a “Hindu nation.” This vision has little room for the country’s religious minorities, including Sikhs. 

The state’s protection of these Hindu nationalist elements has further emboldened their actions. While Sikhs face routine harassment and their religious sentiments are disregarded, RSS members and other Hindu extremists enjoy impunity. This institutional bias, where Hindu nationalism is bolstered at the expense of minority rights, has only aggravated the discontent within the Sikh community.

The coming to power of the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 has intensified the crackdown on Sikhs. Under the guise of fighting crime, particularly drug trafficking, the government has disproportionately targeted Sikh-majority areas like Punjab. While the region does face legitimate challenges related to drug abuse, the government’s response has been perceived as heavy-handed and unjust. Punjab, home to the majority of India’s Sikh population, accounts for nearly 60% of the country’s drug-related arrests, despite making up a small portion of the national population.

Many observers argue that this aggressive policing and surveillance in Punjab are less about addressing drug-related issues and more about silencing the voices that advocate for Sikh autonomy or the Khalistan movement. The demand for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, has long been a sensitive issue in India. Instead of engaging with these demands through dialogue and political means, the Modi government has responded with repression. Sikhs, especially those who are vocal in their criticism of the government or in their advocacy for autonomy, find themselves under intense scrutiny, with many detained under the pretext of countering drug cartels or anti-national elements.

The systematic suppression of Sikhs in India is a deeply concerning issue that continues to undermine the country’s claims of being a secular democracy. The indifference towards Sikh religious issues, the escalation of sacrilege incidents, and the targeted repression of Sikh political voices reflect a broader agenda of marginalization. Under Modi’s government, this suppression has intensified, often masked as efforts to combat crime or maintain national unity.

For India to truly honor its commitment to pluralism and democracy, it must address the legitimate concerns of its Sikh population. The government needs to take concrete actions to ensure justice for the desecration of religious texts, protect Sikh religious symbols, and end the disproportionate targeting of Sikhs under the pretext of law enforcement. The continued marginalization of Sikhs will not only damage India’s social fabric but will also contribute to growing unrest and resentment. The time for genuine engagement and accountability is long overdue.

Sehrish Khan

Sehrish Khan is a freelancer and media activist. She writes on political developments and security issues with special focus on South Asia and the region.

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