PNN: PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman on Saturday strongly condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to stop attacks by Hindu extremist groups against religious minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims.
Referring to reports in Indian media, she noted that in the days leading up to Christmas, right-wing groups vandalised Christmas decorations at a shopping mall in central India, disrupted school events and set fire to holiday merchandise in several states, including Chhattisgarh, Assam, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
Questioning the Indian prime minister’s silence, Senator Sherry Rehman said nothing prevents Prime Minister Modi from condemning Hindu radicals who attack Christians, as such violence is unacceptable in a civilised society. She added that his silence reflects tolerance for impunity.
She stressed that leadership is tested by the willingness to confront extremism within one’s own support base, warning that silence risks normalising hate-driven violence.
Her remarks echoed findings highlighted by The Wall Street Journal, which reported a sharp rise in violence against religious minorities in India since Prime Minister Modi took office in 2014. The report linked groups affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attacks on Muslims and Christians, along with systemic discrimination in employment, education, housing and civic life.
According to the report, India’s Muslim population, which makes up around 14 per cent of the country, has faced the most severe attacks, widespread social exclusion and ghettoisation. Christians, who account for about 2.3 per cent of the population and largely belong to economically disadvantaged communities, have also increasingly been targeted.