Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Indian mosques, including Taj Majal, targeted by Hindutva extremists

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 May 2022 13:40
  • 10 Shares
3 Min Read

Mosques are under threat from pro-Modi Hindu extremism in India.

  • x
  • The Gyanvapi Mosque after its survey by a commission, in Varanasi, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (PTI)
    The Gyanvapi Mosque after its survey by a commission, in Varanasi, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 (PTI)

The rise of Hindutva extremism is threatening religious Muslim sites across India, including the Taj Mahal. 

When Indian PM Narendra Modi took office, laws that systemically target Muslims and Muslim practices, such as the cultivation of Halal meats, have erected walls that are closing in on Muslim populations. 

Extremists have taken to social media to express their support for such targeted and violent behavior, contending that the religious sites were built on top of Hindu temples, which they argue is India’s “true religion".

The Muslim mosque mostly in danger is the Gyanvapi Mosque, which is centuries old and located in Varanasi; one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities.

Related News

Muslims in Europe experience ‘worrying surge’ in racism: Survey

Looking for Christ in a televised genocide and a call to the Holy See

Read more: Muslims in India and Kashmir face systemic violence: Welcome Ramadan

Last week, a shiva linga, which is a phallic representation of the Hindu god, Shiva, was discovered at the site of the Gyanyapi mosque. Though the mosque authorities are saying it is a fountain, pro-Modi supporters are adamant it is a shiva linga. Upon the discovery, Muslims have been banned from performing ablutions in the water tank where the relic was found.

There are rising fears that the mosque will endure destruction the same way the Ayodhya Mosque was destroyed in 1992. The building, which was 450 years old, upon being demolished, sparked sectarian riots. Around 2,000 people died, mostly Muslim. Muslims in India account for 200 million of the population. 

What happened back then was a pivotal moment for Hindu extremism, allowing for Modi’s election into the government in 2014. Hindutva to India is what Zionism is to “Israel". It is an ideology that seeks to establish a state controlled by none but Hindus – a form of ethnic absolutism.

This month, a court petition was filed by a member of the BJP, Modi’s party, to force the ASI – India’s archeological body, to open up 20 rooms inside the Taj Mahal, a world-famous mausoleum, arguing that they had Hindu idols. However, the ASI said there were no such idols.

The latest in Modi’s adventures of suppressing Muslims further is banning the hijab – particularly in educational institutions – which have set Muslim women to choose between their religion and education, two essential artifacts of any given identity. The ban on the hijab, which started with one school prohibiting hijabis from attending classes, caught onto other areas and regions, threatening hijabi Indians' mobility and daily activities nationwide.

See more: Hindu extremism threatens Muslims in India
  • India
  • Hindutva
  • Islam
  • Muslims
  • Taj Mahal

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS