In an age where India aspires to emerge as a global powerhouse, the insidious rise of religious intolerance threatens to overshadow our progress and tarnish our international reputation. Rooted in the ancient philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world as one family—our nation has long championed unity in diversity. Yet, certain divisive political factions and fringe groups seem intent on fanning communal flames, as evidenced by recent unrest. A poignant example unfolded outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, where activists from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal—entities reportedly linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—staged a fervent protest. Decrying alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, including the tragic lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, the demonstrators stormed the premises, brandishing saffron flags and demanding swift intervention. While concerns over minority persecution abroad are valid, such confrontational tactics risk provoking diplomatic fallout, straining the fragile relations between India and Bangladesh. In response, Dhaka promptly summoned India’s envoy, underscoring how unchecked domestic zeal can cascade into cross-border tensions.
This episode is emblematic of a deeper malaise: an escalating wave of intolerance masquerading as religious or nationalistic fervor. Across the spectrum, organizations exploit faith to rationalize polarizing behaviors, poisoning communal harmony and interfaith bonds. In Kerala, renowned as “God’s Own Country” for its enlightened values and intercommunity amity, a gruesome incident shattered this facade. Ram Narayan Baghel, a 31-year-old Dalit migrant labourer from Chhattisgarh, was savagely lynched in Palakkad’s Walayar region on baseless suspicions of being a Bangladeshi infiltrator. The postmortem examination unveiled a harrowing extent of savagery—every inch of his body marred by wounds—that left even veteran forensic experts aghast. Alarmingly, the perpetrators include individuals associated with the BJP and RSS, prompting Kerala officials to invoke the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and attribute the crime to entrenched hate politics. This atrocity resonates with prior horrors, such as the 2018 lynching of tribal youth Madhu in Attappadi or the 2023 slaying of migrant worker Rajesh Manjhi in Malappuram, where official inaction has permitted such barbarism to proliferate unchecked.
These vigilante assaults, frequently veiled in patriotic or doctrinal garb, are unravelling the tapestry of India’s multifaceted society. They breed pervasive enmity among religious and ethnic factions, pitting Hindus against Muslims, dominant groups against minorities, and locals against outsiders. The ramifications transcend national boundaries. In New Zealand, a extremist Christian faction affiliated with Destiny Church disrupted a Sikh Nagar Kirtan procession in South Auckland, executing a Haka dance while shouting “This is New Zealand, not India” in a blatant exhibition of xenophobic and anti-Indian bias. Adorned with “Kiwis First” banners, the agitators obstructed thoroughfares and sowed disorder. Comparable undercurrents have surfaced in Australia, where burgeoning anti-Indian prejudices have sporadically victimized Hindu and Sikh populations, albeit without the same overt religious overtones. Such overseas reprisals sully India’s portrayal as an inclusive democracy, recasting it as an exporter of sectarian strife. Consequently, our diaspora—once lauded for its global contributions—now encounters heightened scrutiny, while our economic aspirations, encompassing foreign direct investment and international alliances, face undue setbacks.
The complicity of political entities in perpetuating this affliction is undeniable. Marginal outfits frequently receive implicit or explicit backing from established parties, particularly amid election seasons. The Delhi demonstration, involving RSS-aligned groups, prompts scrutiny over their apparent impunity, possibly fuelled by partisan endorsements. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration has implicated the Sangh Parivar in orchestrating the mob, whereas the BJP retorts by faulting the state’s policing lapses. This partisan finger-pointing diverts attention from the fundamental crisis: electoral opportunism that favours vote consolidation over societal cohesion. Assessments from bodies like the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) underscore how India’s governance framework abets discrimination against faith minorities, with surges in assaults on Christians, Muslims, and others under stringent anti-conversion statutes and self-appointed enforcers. In 2025, fresh mandates in states such as Rajasthan have intensified oppression, encompassing raids on places of worship and detentions via “Freedom of Religion” ordinances. Human Rights Watch’s 2025 World Report documents the expedited citizenship pathways for non-Muslims at the exclusion of Muslims, thereby institutionalizing schisms.
This downward spiral imperils India’s developmental trajectory. A society fractured along religious lines cannot flourish economically or culturally. Sectarian conflicts disrupt commerce, repel tourists, and stifle creativity, supplanting synergy with suspicion. Our global stature—pivotal for endeavours like Make in India or G20 stewardship—is compromised when international dossiers brand us as a nexus of faith-based persecution. Ultimately, the most vulnerable bear the brunt: migrants like Ram Narayan pursuing sustenance, or expatriate minorities enduring backlash for homeland transgressions.
It is imperative for federal and state authorities to act resolutely, rising above ideological and confessional divides. Robust measures are essential: impartial enforcement of statutes against incendiary rhetoric and crowd violence, mirroring Kerala’s application of the SC/ST Act. Long-overdue national anti-lynching legislation must be expedited to dissuade rogue actors. Security apparatuses should vigilantly track extremist collectives, with transparent audits of their financial lifelines. Nationwide initiatives fostering constitutional secularism can inoculate against extremism. Above all, public figures must exemplify integrity, denouncing bigotry outright instead of resorting to evasion or equivocation.
Inaction will permit this venom to metastasize, fracturing communal bonds and imperilling serene cohabitation. The fallout—intensified brutality, societal splintering, and fiscal inertia—will disproportionately afflict the blameless masses. India’s essence resides in its pluralism; safeguarding it necessitates immediate and unwavering commitment. Let us revive our heritage as a paragon of inclusivity before irreparable harm ensues.
