The resurgence of Hinduphobia in Jammu and Kashmir signals a troubling pattern of divisive rhetoric targeting the minority Hindu community in the state. Following DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial comments, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, has now likened Hinduism to a disease. In a startling post on X (formerly Twitter), she claimed even Lord Ram would hang his head in shame at the alleged crimes committed by Hindus against other faiths. Such inflammatory remarks are not only baseless and offensive to millions of Hindus but also reflect a dangerous narrative designed to vilify an entire community for political gain. This is particularly egregious given the state’s history, having witnessed one of the worst genocides in modern India. The exodus of nearly 70,000 Kashmiri Pandits in the early 1990s remains a haunting memory for the nation. The carnage that forced Hindus to flee their ancestral homes serves as a grim reminder of how such rhetoric can fuel hatred and violence. Remarks like Iltija’s risk rekindling communal tensions in the Valley, where Hindus are already a vulnerable minority amidst a predominantly Muslim population.
Iltija’s rising prominence as her mother’s political heir underscores the calculated nature of these statements. Mehbooba Mufti recently appointed her daughter as an advisor, signaling her intent to groom Iltija for a larger political role. This move exemplifies a broader trend among opposition leaders, particularly those aligned with the Congress-led Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), to stoke communal tensions under the guise of championing minority rights. The strategy is transparent: vilify the Hindu majority to consolidate minority vote banks. Such a divisive approach not only undermines national unity but also exacerbates societal fissures, leaving the country grappling with deep-seated mistrust and discord. Ironically, many of these same opposition parties accuse the BJP of engaging in divisive politics. Yet, their rhetoric and actions tell a different story. By routinely denigrating Hinduism and pushing for divisive policies like a caste census, they aim to fragment Hindu society along caste and community lines. The call for a caste census, in particular, is a glaring example of their duplicity. While the Congress vocally supports it today, it had vehemently opposed similar demands in the past, including during the Mandal agitation led by VP Singh. The party even refused to implement the Mandal Commission’s recommendations for years, betraying its selective approach to social justice issues.
The Congress’s shifting stance on the caste census is a stark reminder of its opportunism. For decades, the party wielded significant power at the national level but failed to address caste inequities meaningfully. Today, in its desperation to regain lost ground, it has joined forces with allies whose rhetoric and policies threaten the nation’s social fabric. This sustained assault on Hinduism is not merely about political strategy—it reflects a deeper disregard for the majority community’s faith and values. Instead of fostering unity, these parties are sowing seeds of division and mistrust, further polarizing the nation. It’s time for a collective reckoning. Hinduphobia, in any form, must be unequivocally condemned. Political discourse should focus on bridging divides, not widening them. If opposition leaders genuinely wish to counter divisive politics, they must first examine their own rhetoric and actions.