Religious violence in India

People in India have many beliefs.

Sometimes, groups of people fight about these beliefs. This is very sad. Much of this happened a long time ago.

Some leaders used these fights to gain power. This made people feel divided. Today, many groups work hard to help. They want everyone to live in peace.

They work to make things fair for all.

In India, people follow many different religions. Sometimes, groups fight over these beliefs. This is called religious violence.

Much of this history goes back a long time.

In ancient times, some leaders fought against other groups. For example, Emperor Ashoka once ordered the death of many followers of a group called the Ajivikas. Later, he stopped giving such orders.

In the middle ages, some rulers fought to spread their own faith. This caused much sadness.

During the time when Britain ruled India, things changed. The British used a plan called "divide and rule." They often treated Hindus and Muslims as two separate groups. This helped the British keep power. In 1905, they even split the land of Bengal into two parts based on religion. This made people very angry.

In 1857, Indian soldiers revolted against British rule. Some thought the British were trying to force new religions on them. This was a very violent time.

Today, many groups work to keep peace. They want all people to be treated fairly.

Religious violence in India happens when followers of one group act against another group. This often takes the form of riots between different religious communities. In India, these conflicts have mostly involved Hindus and Muslims. Even though the Constitution of India supports religious tolerance, violence still occurs. Many groups work to stop this, like the National Human Rights Commission. International groups like Amnesty International also watch and write reports on these events.

History shows that these conflicts can stem from deep-seated causes. These causes include old history, religious activities, and politics. In recent years, some groups have used violence or harassment against non-Hindus. Some state governments have even passed laws about religion and cattle. For example, mobs have targeted families in the dairy or leather trades. In 2017, groups known as Gau Rakshak killed at least 10 people.

Ancient stories tell us about conflicts from a very long time ago. The Ashokavadana mentions Emperor Ashoka and his orders against the Ajivika sect. The text says 18,000 followers were executed because of his orders. However, some scholars believe these stories might be made up for propaganda. Another story mentions Emperor Pushyamitra and the destruction of stupas. Archeologists found remains in Deorkothar that suggest some buildings were destroyed.

During the Middle Ages and the Mughal Empire, violence continued. A leader named Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the Somnath temple. Later, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ruled from 1658 to 1707. He is often remembered as an oppressor of Hindus. He expanded his empire through long and bloody campaigns. He also destroyed Hindu temples and forced conversions to Islam. In Goa, the Portuguese Inquisition also targeted many people between 1561 and 1774.

British rule brought new types of religious tension to India. The British used a "divide and rule" policy to keep power. They often treated Hindus and Muslims as separate groups. In 1857, an Indian rebellion broke part of this tension. Soldiers feared the British were trying to force new religions on them. In 1905, the British partitioned Bengal along religious lines. This split created a Muslim majority state and a Hindu majority state. This move caused great resentment and led to more riots.

Religious violence in India refers to acts of violence committed by followers of one religious group against the members or institutions of another. These conflicts often manifest as communal riots. While the Constitution of India is secular and promotes religious tolerance, sporadic and serious acts of violence still occur. These events frequently involve Hindus and Muslims. Many organizations work to monitor these issues. Domestic bodies like the National Human Rights Commission of India and the National Commission for Minorities play active roles. International groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also publish reports on these incidents.

Modern religious tensions are often linked to deep-seated historical, religious, and political causes. In recent years, certain groups have been accused of using violence and intimidation against non-Hindus. For example, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) classified India as Tier-2 in persecuting religious minorities in a 2018 report. The USCIRF specifically charged Hindutva groups with a campaign to "Saffronise" India through harassment. Additionally, approximately one-third of state governments have enforced laws regarding anti-conversion or anti-cattle slaughter. These laws have led to violence against Muslims in the dairy, leather, or beef trades. In 2017, "Gau Rakshak" or cow protection mobs killed at least 10 victims.

Historical records from ancient India provide complex accounts of religious conflict. The Ashokavadana, a part of the Divyavadana, describes the Maurya Emperor Ashoka issuing orders to kill followers of the Ajivika sect. The text claims 18,000 followers were executed. It also describes a follower being burnt alive in Pataliputra. However, scholars K. T. S. Sarao and Benimadhab Barua suggest these stories might be sectarian propaganda rather than facts. Another ancient account mentions Emperor Pushyamitra of the Shunga Empire destroying Buddhist structures. Archaeological remains at Deorkothar show evidence of destroyed stupas, which may support these claims.

During the medieval period, various conquests and empires shaped religious relations. Historian Will Durant described the Muslim conquest of India as one of the bloodiest in history. Mahmud of Ghazni is noted for ruining the Somnath temple and killing devotees during his raids. Later, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ruled from 1658 to 1707. His reign saw intense religious violence as he expanded the empire through bloody campaigns. Aurangzeb is often remembered for destroying Hindu temples and forcibly converting people to Islam.

In Goa, the Portuguese Inquisition created significant religious upheaval between 1561 and 1774. This period involved mass conversion efforts to Catholicism. The Inquisition targeted Hindus and Sephardic Jews, forbidding the public practice of their faiths. The philosopher Voltaire described the Inquisition as being "contrary to humanity." Tens of thousands of Goan people converted during this time. Some records suggest 57 people were executed for religious crimes, while 64 others were burned in effigy. These pressures caused many Hindus, Muslims, and Catholics to migrate to other parts of the subcontinent.

The British colonial era introduced policies that many historians believe worsened religious divisions. The British often used a "divide and rule" tactic to maintain control. They treated Hindus and Muslims as separate groups for governance and cultural purposes. This tension contributed to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. During this revolt, Indian sepoys feared the British were attempting forced religious conversions. The rebellion was also sparked by rumors that rifle cartridges were greased with pig and cow fat. This conflict resulted in the deaths of 150,000 Indians and 6,000 Britons.

Administrative decisions by the British further fueled communal unrest. In 1905, the British partitioned Bengal along religious lines. This created a Muslim-majority East Bengal and a Hindu-majority West Bengal. The partition was deeply resented and led to violent riots through 1907. Although the partition was reversed in 1911, religious violence continued in Bengal throughout the 1910s and 1930s. Another significant event was the 1921 Malabar rebellion. During this conflict, the Muslim Mappila community engaged in violence against Hindus. This event changed the demographics of the area, making the Malappuram district a Muslim majority region. Statistics show that between 2005 and 2009, communal violence caused an average of 130 deaths per year in India.