– Alamgir Hossain (President, Islamic Youth Federation)
After nearly two hundred years of British rule, the state that emerged as India in 1947 was essentially an undeclared Hindu state. Over the past 77 years, two distinct versions of this Hindu state have emerged before us: The secularists’ Hindu state & The Hindutva proponents’ Hindu state. If we analyze the past and the present, we will see that there is no fundamental difference between these two Hindu states. The only difference lies in the ruling party and their strategies.
The secularists never explicitly presented India as a Hindu state; instead, on the eve of so-called independence, the then Congress leaders portrayed the country as a democratic and secular state. Some Muslim leaders saw this as a great blessing and sided with Congress, rejecting the idea of a separate Muslim state. However, it is true that the Muslim state did not become a true “Nizam-e-Mustafa”. But the successors of those leaders continued to glorify democracy and secularism, going so far as to claim: “We rejected the idea of Nizam-e-Mustafa and the governance of the Quran and embraced this democratic and secular state.” or “We are the ones who built India as a democratic and secular state.”
These Muslim leaders should have realized that in a democratic state, the majority’s opinion will always prevail. Since Muslims are a minority in India, it is practically impossible for them to pass any law in parliament according to their wishes or to resist any anti-Islamic law. It is only natural that laws will be passed according to the wishes of the Hindu majority.
Similarly, the concept of secularism—where the government remains neutral toward all religions—is also unrealistic. When Hindus are the majority and their government is formed, their ideological influence will inevitably shape education, culture, and other aspects of society. For instance, Hindu religious festivals like Saraswati Puja and Holi have gradually transformed into cultural events. As a result, Muslim students in schools and colleges are forcibly made to contribute to these celebrations. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to call India an unofficial Hindu state disguised under the veil of democracy and secularism.
Nellie Massacre – one of the many atrocities against Muslims to have happened under the so called ‘Secular Government’s’ rule
If we look back at the past eight decades, it becomes clear that the so-called secular state was never a blessing for Muslims—rather, it was a curse. Major anti-Muslim riots occurred during secular governments’ rule, including: The Nellie Massacre (1983) in Assam, the Gujarat Riots (2002), Muzaffarnagar Riots (2013). Thousands of Muslims were killed in these massacres. The demolition of Babri Masjid occurred under a secular government, with its direct support. Muslims were forced to chant slogans like ‘Vande Mataram’, which contradict Islamic beliefs. TADA and POTA laws were used to indiscriminately arrest and execute innocent Muslim youth. Several Islamic organizations were banned, and their members were arrested and tortured. Discrimination against Muslims was not just social but also economic. The Sachar Committee Report (2006), established by the Congress government in 2004, revealed that Indian Muslims were among the most socially and economically backward communities.
Despite suffering under secular rule for nearly 50 years, certain Muslim leaders, blinded by their devotion to democracy and secularism, neither realized the truth themselves nor allowed ordinary Muslims to realize it.
Events after 2014 further prove that India is an unannounced Hindu state. Under the current government: Mosques are being demolished and replaced with temples with government support. A chief minister declared that Friday prayers (Jumu’ah) should be suspended for Holi celebrations. Muslims are forced to chant Jai Shri Ram, a Hindu religious slogan, in buses, trains, and other public places. Ram Navami processions deliberately pass in front of mosques, and slogans are even raised inside mosques. Islamic organizations are banned, and under UAPA, Muslim youths are arrested. Mob lynching of Muslims under the pretext of cow smuggling has become a daily occurrence. Extremist Hindutva leaders openly spew anti-Islamic rhetoric, yet no action is taken against them. State-sponsored Islamophobia is spread through TV channels and films. Anti-Muslim laws such as the Anti-Conversion Law, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act-2024, Triple Talaq Act are being passed. Even the judiciary is biased against Muslims. The Babri Masjid verdict was based on the faith of the majority rather than justice.
The Waqf Amendment Act, recently passed through both the houses of the Lok Sabha is the final nail in the coffin for the undeclared Hindu state that is India
One thing is clear: whether it is the secularists’ Hindu state or the Hindutva proponents’ Hindu state, in both cases, Islam and its followers have become the target of the ruling class. The reason is simple—those who wish to keep people enslaved under human-made systems see Islam as their greatest threat. They know very well that the only force standing in the way of their oppressive rule is Islam. That is why they want to extinguish the light of Islam with their hands.
But Allah has promised: “They want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even though the disbelievers hate it.” (Surah As-Saff: 8)
And Allah’s promise is the truth: “So be patient! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true. And let not those who lack certainty shake your resolve.” (Surah Ar-Rum: 60)
Muslims must remember that their enemies will continue to fight against them until they abandon their faith. Allah has warned: “They will never stop fighting you until they turn you away from your religion, if they can. And whoever among you turns away from their religion and dies as a disbeliever, their deeds will become worthless in this world and the Hereafter. And they will be the inhabitants of the Fire, dwelling therein forever.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 217)
It is not befitting for a believer to die faithless, frightened by the threats, intimidation, power, and intense oppression of falsehood. Rather, the characteristic of believers is that when they are told a vast army is prepared to fight against them, their faith only increases. Allah describes them as follows:
“Those to whom people said, ‘A great army is gathering against you, so fear them,’ it only increased their faith, and they said: ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.'” (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 173)
May Allah grant all believers the steadfastness to remain firm in their faith until death. Ameen Ya Rabbal Alameen.
