Sanjana Chawla, TwoCircles.net
Aman (name changed on request), a Muslim professional from North India, allegedly experienced religious discrimination at a young age that has continued to impact him throughout his life. Growing up in a Christian missionary school, a seemingly minor incident became a defining moment for him.
“When I was in the 1st standard, I studied in a Christian missionary school. I remember that a small fight broke out between me and a classmate, and both of us were taken to the principal’s office. When the Father (principal) read my name on my ID card, he said, ‘Ye Musalman hi is school ka mahaul kharab kiye hain.’ (This Muslim has vitiated the environment of the school),” he recalls.
At the time, Aman was too young to fully grasp the weight of the words, but the sting of that remark has stayed with him. It left a lasting impact on his sense of identity. Years later, a similar experience occurred during his master’s program. In 2020, he joined a prestigious central university and proposed several topics for his dissertation. “All my topics were rejected, and professors mocked me by saying: ‘These Muslims, their self-victimisation and attachment to their identity is a subject of research in itself — and rather a laughable one at that. I don’t know what goes wrong with them here in India’,” he continued. The professor’s words left him stunned, and he stopped attending her lectures altogether.
This experience is just one of many that Muslims in India, like Aman, allegedly face daily. The alleged rise of Islamophobia — discrimination and prejudice against Muslims — has deeply affected the mental health, social standing and professional lives of many.
The Mental Health Impact of Islamophobia
The consequences of alleged Islamophobia on mental health cannot be overstated. Muslim students and professionals across India have reported struggles with anxiety, depression and diminished self-esteem due to alleged ongoing discrimination. Such “marginalisation”, when sustained over time, reportedly leads to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown that individuals who face persistent discrimination are more likely to experience mental health challenges.
According to the University of California, while discrimination is universally recognised as unfair treatment, the experience of it varies based on factors like religion, appearance and culture. The perception of this alleged unfair treatment, particularly when directed at Muslims, can be profound, as many feel that their identity and everyday experiences are consistently devalued by mainstream society.
CAA Protests: A Turning Point in the Fight Against Islamophobia
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests that erupted in 2019 serve as a major example of widespread dissatisfaction with the alleged increasing Islamophobic sentiments in India. The legislation, which provides a pathway to citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, was widely criticised for excluding Muslims — the largest minority group in India. This exclusion was seen as discriminatory, triggering large-scale protests, many of which were led by students, professionals and activists from diverse backgrounds.
Despite the protests, the government’s stance on the CAA reportedly remained unchanged, deepening feelings of alienation among the Muslim community. According to a report by the Council on Foreign Relations, anti-Muslim sentiments have allegedly intensified under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has allegedly pursued a Hindu nationalist agenda since coming to power in 2014. These political shifts have sparked not only domestic protests but also international condemnation.
Stereotypes and Media Representation
In addition to social and institutional discrimination, Muslims in India are often allegedly subjected to negative portrayals in the media, including television, films and daily news. These portrayals perpetuate damaging stereotypes, such as associating Muslims with terrorism and violence.
Aman has experienced this firsthand. Although he comes from a relatively privileged background and consciously chooses not to wear any overt religious symbols to avoid public scrutiny, one incident at work left him deeply unsettled. He recalls, “One day in my office, a colleague began saying how ‘Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi supposedly shaped his beard and wore his jacket’, suggesting that my appearance reminded him of the same. The comment completely caught me off guard as, out of all possible comparisons, he compared me with a terrorist.”
This casual association of a Muslim’s appearance with extremism is a clear example of the implicit biases that Muslims allegedly face everyday.
Jahnavi, a budding industrial and organisational psychologist, says that such instances contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. “You cannot discriminate or target any employee based on their religion or appearance. These kinds of acts are not only unethical but also damaging to the person’s mental health and self-confidence, especially if they occur repeatedly,” she says.
The Hijab Controversy: A Symbol of Divisiveness
The issue of the hijab, which represents an important religious symbol for many Muslim women, has also been at the center of Islamophobic debates. In January 2022, a controversial incident unfolded in Karnataka’s Udupi district, where some Muslim students were allegedly denied entry to their college classrooms because they were wearing the hijab, which was reportedly against the college’s dress code. The incident sparked widespread protests and reignited debates about religious freedoms and the place of Muslims in Indian society.
Such incidents are not isolated. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, Muslims wearing hijabs, caps or even sporting soorma (kohl) were reportedly singled out and targeted, exacerbating the sense of exclusion that many Muslim individuals already felt.
Combating Islamophobia: A Call for Education, Inclusivity
The rise of Islamophobia in India reflects deeper societal issues, particularly the erosion of secular values and the increasing polarisation driven by religious majoritarianism. Muslims in India allegedly face daily discrimination, not only in social and professional spaces but also in the larger political and cultural discourse.
Aman believes that addressing Islamophobia requires a multifaceted approach. “Combating Islamophobia requires a multi-faceted approach, starting with spreading awareness about the propaganda that allegedly fuels it and actively calling out the propagandists. Education plays a crucial role in dismantling stereotypes —highlighting that Islam, like any other religion, is rooted in values of peace, coexistence, and community,” he says.
He further emphasised the need for a more inclusive and accepting society. “There is a need for greater inclusivity and acceptance in Indian society. It is equally important to showcase the everyday reality of Indian Muslims, rather than portraying a stereotyped version of us as people eating meat or roaming around with guns and bombs. Contrary to popular misconceptions, we do not wear kohl in our eyes every day, nor do we show up to every party in pathani suits or traditional headgear,” he says.
Aman’s call for greater awareness and inclusivity resonates with many Muslims in India, who believe that fostering understanding, promoting interfaith dialogue and challenging discriminatory practices are essential to breaking the cycle of Islamophobia. “The cycle needs to break, and we can break it only when we are self-aware and willing to accommodate the needs and cultures of all,” he concludes.