Elham Asaad Buaras
A wave of brutal attacks has swept across India during the holy month of Ramadan, leaving communities in shock and fear. Muslims in Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Lucknow have faced lynchings, targeted shootings, beatings, and communal clashes, raising international concern over rising religious tensions and a climate of impunity for perpetrators of hate crimes.
In Amhi village, Madhubani district, Bihar, a 40-year-old Muslim woman was reportedly beaten to death following a local dispute. On February 28, she went to the home of the village head, Kumari Devi, seeking mediation over a land or marital matter — but was intercepted by the official’s son, Manu Singh, and a group of men.
Eyewitnesses allege she was tied to a pole and struck repeatedly with bamboo sticks. “People saw what was happening, but the beating continued. She was helpless and kept asking them to stop,” a resident said. Another added: “Instead of listening to her complaint, some people began beating her. It was shocking for the entire village.”
Reports indicate she was forced to drink a mixture of alcohol and urine when she asked for water. She was transported to Patna Medical College and Hospital, where she died on March 1. While one suspect has been detained, her family is calling for broader arrests.
In Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, 28-year-old truck driver Aamir Khan was shot dead on March 2 while transporting fruit to Delhi. Parked near a mosque, he was allegedly targeted by cow vigilantes, who frequently harass Muslim transporters under the pretext of preventing cattle slaughter.
Family members said, “Five to six rounds of firing took place. One bullet struck Aamir near his eye, while his companion managed to escape and survived,” his maternal uncle said. His mother added: “My son was killed unjustly. I want justice from the government. He was a truck driver, not a cattle smuggler.”
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 13-year-old Unaiz Khan was shot in the forehead during a birthday celebration on March 2. Police initially described the death as accidental, but his family disputes this, alleging premeditation.
Protesters took to the streets demanding justice. “If what happened to my child had happened to their child, there would have been police, flags, bulldozers, and my house would have been demolished. But, so much time has passed, no action has been taken,” Unaiz’s father said, reflecting frustration at the official response. An FIR for murder names contractor Sanjeev Tripathi and several others present at the party.
Separately, in Jhagarua village, Jamalpur police station, Darbhanga district, Bihar, 65-year-old Abdul Salam was beaten to death with an iron rod on March 1. The attack reportedly began after Salam confronted neighbours over verbally abusive, anti-Muslim remarks.
Family members said a neighbour shouted, “Sab sugar kha kha ke, Ramzan me roza rakhte hai sab Musalman” (“All Muslims eat only sugar while fasting in Ramzan”) before tensions escalated. Salam was struck on the head by multiple members of the household, including two brothers and their mother, and died at the scene. Three suspects have been arrested, and a temporary police camp was set up to prevent further unrest.
The overlap of Ramadan with Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, heightened communal tensions. In Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, coloured powder thrown at Muslim residents escalated into stone-pelting, causing multiple injuries. Local reports noted how festival celebrations intersecting with heightened sensitivities triggered clashes.
Rights advocates say these are not isolated incidents. Aasif Mujtaba, founder of Miles2Smile, described Ramadan as increasingly a period of “anxiety” for India’s 200 million Muslims. “When such incidents repeatedly occur without accountability, one question inevitably arises: Is there really one law for everyone?”
Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, said “Hindutva” mobs are often unchecked by authorities, creating a climate where minorities are seen as “outsiders.”
Independent monitoring by India Hate Lab recorded 1,318 hate speech incidents in 2025, overwhelmingly targeting Muslims, often calling for violence or attacks on places of worship. Observers argue such dehumanising rhetoric directly fuels physical violence.
Feature photo: Feature photo: 13-year-old Unaiz Khan was shot dead at Lucknow birthday party (Credit: Observer Post/CC)
