OIC rebukes India over ‘systematic persecution’ of Muslims in Assam
Students in New Delhi took to the streets to protest the eviction of Muslims and police tactics in Assam state. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the "systematic persecution and violence" ramping up against the Muslim community in India’s Assam state.
Thousands staged protests in Assam state last month after two people were killed when hundreds clashed with police over the state government's eviction of Muslim families from their homes.
Assam's government has faced widespread condemnation over the tactics used to eject the families, with critics pointing to them as the latest example of discrimination against Muslims under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Also read: Pakistan summons Indian envoy over state brutalities in Assam
“The OIC General Secretariat indicated that the media reports are disgraceful and call for a responsible stance by the government and officials in the Republic of India,” said the Muslim bloc in a statement on its official Twitter handle.
The OIC called on the Indian government to protect the Muslim minority community and respect all their religious and social fundamental freedoms, “noting that dialogue is the best way to address any issues within national sovereignty”.
The viral video from Assam showed police in riot gear beating a protestor who had fallen to the ground seconds after gunshots were heard.
A photographer, hired by district officials to film the evictions, jumped on the man and was seen punching the body multiple times.
Leaders of India's 170 million Muslims say they have been unfairly targeted since Modi's party came to power in 2014.
They say a controversial nationality law that sparked riots in Delhi in 2020, and hate crimes including lynchings, have all increased fear in their community.