New Delhi: In the wake of the April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, a sharp spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes has been reported across India, according to a detailed report released by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). The report documents 184 incidents of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination within a 17-day period, from April 22 to May 8, 2025.

The crimes span a wide range of offenses, including hate speech (84 cases), physical assaults (39 cases), acts of vandalism (19 cases), and three murders. The actual number is suspected to be higher due to underreporting.

The violence is believed to have been triggered by the Pahalgam attack, where militants reportedly opened fire on a group of tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least 26 people. In the aftermath, anti-Muslim hate campaigns and calls for violence intensified across social media and public platforms.

Independent watchdog Hindutva Watch released several videos on social media showing mobs affiliated with right-wing groups assaulting Muslims in various states.

Notable Incidents

• Agra, Uttar Pradesh: Members of the Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal allegedly murdered a Muslim man and seriously injured his relative.
• Mangaluru, Karnataka: A disabled Muslim youth was beaten to death for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans.
• Bokaro, Jharkhand: Another Muslim man was lynched by a mob, marking the third murder in the report period.

Victims included individuals, students, traders, business owners, and religious institutions, with perpetrators often linked to Hindutva organizations and political parties.

• Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents, followed by Bihar, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana, Karnataka, Punjab, Chandigarh, and West Bengal.
• In Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, Bajrang Dal activists assaulted Kashmiri shawl vendors, and police allegedly ordered the victims to vacate the area.
• In Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, Kashmiri women and students were subjected to harassment.

Other Incidents

• Mumbai: BJP workers reportedly attacked Muslim shopkeepers.
• Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A Muslim head constable was assaulted while on duty.
• Santacruz, Maharashtra: Armed Bajrang Dal members allegedly attacked Muslim women, children, and men using hockey sticks and swords.
• Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh: A young Muslim boy was reportedly forced to urinate on a Pakistani flag.
• Varanasi: A Muslim boy was beaten for allegedly accidentally touching a Hindu woman.

Numerous reports accuse police of inaction, abuse, and complicity. In Bareilly, UP, a Muslim youth allegedly died by suicide after police torture. At Darul Uloom Deoband, armed mobs reportedly demanded that Muslims vacate the area.

Hindutva leaders and groups have used public platforms to call for the economic and social boycott of Muslims, encouraging Hindus to stockpile weapons and “drive Muslims out”.

Multiple attacks targeted Muslim-owned establishments and religious institutions:

• Madrasas, shops, vehicles, clinics, and homes of Muslims were vandalized.
• In Kashmir, houses suspected to be linked to militants were bulldozed, allegedly in violation of Supreme Court directives.
• In Rajasthan, a mosque was surrounded by Hindutva mob during a rally led by a BJP MLA.
• Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Muslim homes were stoned and set on fire.
• Hyderabad: A bakery named “Karachi” was attacked.

Suppression of Dissent

Several individuals were arrested for sharing critical posts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. A Muslim MLA was detained for suggesting that the Pahalgam attack may have involved government conspiracy.

The APCR report paints a grim picture of communal violence and growing intolerance, pointing to a disturbing trend of targeted aggression against Muslims and Kashmiris in India. Rights groups have called for immediate government action to address the surge in hate crimes and ensure accountability at all levels, including among law enforcement and political leaders.