Following the mysterious attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, a surge in anti-Muslim hate-related incidents has been reported across multiple Indian states.
A detailed fact-finding report compiled by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) highlights a pattern of communal violence, threats, and discrimination spanning at least 18 states and union territories, with 184 documented cases targeting Muslims and Kashmiris in the subsequent two weeks.
The documented incidents range from physical assaults and vandalism to hate speech, evictions and social boycotts. These have occurred in both urban centres and smaller towns— from Mumbai and Dehradun to Ujjain and Agra.
One of the most serious incidents was the lynching of a Muslim man in Mangaluru over alleged pro-Pakistan slogans during a cricket match.
In Santacruz, Maharashtra, a series of events included the assault of a Muslim woman by a mob, vandalism of a clinic where Muslim women and a child had taken refuge, and alleged police inaction in filing complaints.
In Agra, Uttar Pradesh, members of a cow vigilante group reportedly killed a Muslim man and injured his cousin, claiming it was in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack.
Kashmiri students, in particular, faced intense targeting. In Chandigarh and Punjab, several were reportedly attacked, evicted by landlords, and branded “terrorists” by locals. In Dehradun, students fled en masse following threats from local outfits.
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The report also notes numerous instances of hate speech by politicians and religious figures.
In Jaipur, a BJP official allegedly attempted to enter a mosque during a protest, shouted slogans and posted provocative posters. In Bhopal, a BJP MP reportedly called for the sterilisation of Muslim men accused of “love jihad.”
Economically, Muslims reported being barred from markets in places like Ambala and Ghaziabad, with calls for business boycotts.
In Bareilly, a Muslim man reportedly died by suicide following police harassment, while in Hubli, a Muslim bus driver was suspended for offering namaz during work hours.
Several cases also raised concerns about institutional responses.
Despite widespread evidence, there has been no official central government statement addressing the communal fallout. Observers warn that the silence, coupled with selective police action, risks further emboldening fringe elements and normalising mob violence as a form of political expression.
