Modi's Hindutva policies leave Muslim students vulnerable in India

An IIT student's death in his hostel room was attempted to be framed as 'suicide' by authorities.

Under the Modi government’s Hindutva-driven policies, India’s Muslim minority, including students, faces increasing insecurity and discrimination.

The rise of extremist policies in educational institutions has brought Muslim students under threat, shattering the notion of safety in India’s educational system.

One tragic case that exemplifies this growing crisis is the death of Faizan Ahmed, a third-year mechanical engineering student at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.

On October 14, 2022, Faizan was found dead in his hostel room at Lala Lajpat Rai Hostel. Initially, IIT Kharagpur authorities attempted to frame his death as a suicide, raising concerns of a cover-up aimed at burying the truth and obstructing justice.

Faizan’s mother has been fighting for justice for two years, relentlessly pursuing the case. Her persistence led to a second post-mortem examination, ordered by the Calcutta High Court in May 2023.

The new autopsy results confirmed what Faizan’s mother had been claiming all along—Faizan’s death was not a suicide, but a planned murder. The report revealed that he had suffered gunshot wounds, multiple stab injuries, and trauma from a heavy weapon to his chest.

Although five students and professors were implicated in the murder, they currently face charges related to ragging and are out on bail.

The brutal details of the second post-mortem, which exposed the extent of violence against Faizan, have shocked the nation.

Faizan’s mother continues to accuse the IIT Kharagpur administration of trying to conceal the facts. She argues that the institution’s false narratives and misrepresentations have created significant hurdles in her quest for justice.

The legal process has faced delays as well. On October 3, 2024, a scheduled court hearing was postponed, with changes made to the panel of judges. The hearing has now been rescheduled for October 7.

Since Modi’s rise to power, religious violence has surged in India, with increased attacks on minority communities, especially Muslims. Faizan Ahmed’s murder is yet another example of the growing extremism that has taken root in Indian society, reflecting the dangerous consequences of the Modi government’s divisive policies.