New Delhi: A fact-finding report released by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has shed light on the alarming breakdown of law and order in Himachal Pradesh, exposing the vulnerability of Muslim migrants and the role of local authorities in fuelling communal tensions. The report, titled “Creating the Muslim ‘Outsider’: Hate Speech, Migrant Vulnerability and Faltering Law & Order in Himachal Pradesh,” highlights distressing incidents across regions like Shimla, Sanjauli, Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Palampur, calling for urgent action to address the deepening crisis.
The press conference unveiling the report, held at the Press Club of India, was attended by a range of prominent figures, including human rights advocates, legal professionals, journalists, and former bureaucrats. Key panellists included Supreme Court Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Sanjay Hegde; activist Syeda Hameed; former Deputy Mayor of Shimla, Tikender Pawar; and freelance journalists Kaushik Raj and Srishti Jaswal.
Pamela Philipose, a senior journalist and moderator of the event, opened the discussion by emphasizing how communal agendas have overshadowed more pressing societal concerns, pointing to the increasing frequency of communal violence in India.
During the conference, the fact-finding team shared their first-hand experiences, detailing the climate of fear in Himachal Pradesh. Nadeem Khan, APCR National Secretary, criticized the state government, accusing it of failing to uphold the rule of law and enabling a “parallel government” run by right-wing groups like BJP and RSS.
Srishti Jaswal recounted how she witnessed fear permeating the region during her 20-day visit, with residents – particularly women – too afraid to speak on record. She highlighted that police in Himachal Pradesh were even demanding character certificates from Muslims, issued by their home states. Jaswal further noted the disturbing development regarding the Sanjauli mosque, which was being dismantled amid little resistance, even though the Congress is currently in power in the state.
Kaushik Raj added that a colleague from Hindutva Watch, a research initiative focused on documenting hate crimes, informed him that images of both Raj and Nadeem Khan had been circulated among right-wing groups, labelling them as ‘terrorists’. Although a complaint was filed with the Himachal Pradesh police, no action had been taken.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan remarked that communalism has become a societal ailment, warning that even the Congress is susceptible to opportunistic communal actions. He urged Rahul Gandhi to take decisive action against such tendencies within the party, emphasizing that Congress cannot compete with BJP by adopting communal rhetoric without further strengthening their opponent.
Senior lawyer Sanjay Hegde called for a renewed commitment to the constitutional principle of fraternity, while Syeda Hameed stressed the growing marginalisation of Muslims in India. Hameed warned that the nation could face devastation unless civil society re-engages with these pressing issues.
The APCR report also adopted recommendations to address the communal tensions in Himachal Pradesh:
- Effective Governance: Take swift action against communal elements to prevent further escalation, such as the Sanjauli mosque incident.
- Inclusive Dialogue: Promote communication between Hindu and Muslim communities for peaceful conflict resolution.
- Strengthening Law and Order: Ensure adequate security forces are deployed to prevent violence and maintain order.
- Leadership Accountability: Hold public officials responsible for inflammatory rhetoric and promote responsible leadership.
- Community Engagement: Encourage grassroots initiatives fostering interfaith harmony.
- Policy Reforms: Review policies to ensure equal protection for all citizens.
- Ban Inflammatory Rallies: Deny permissions for rallies that may incite communal violence, based on intelligence reports.
- Government Support for Muslims: Take proactive measures to ensure the safety of Muslims, such as increasing police presence in sensitive areas.
- Social Media Monitoring: Counter hate speech and incitement online.
- Swift Legal Action: Ensure prompt prosecution of those responsible for communal violence.
