Muslim Killings in India: 13 Dead in First Four Months, 4 by State Actors

At least 13 Muslims were killed in India during the first four months of 2026. These killings include victims of religiously motivated hate crimes. Hindu extremist groups targeted Muslims across eight Indian states. The victims included two women and a fifteen-year-old boy. Some killings occurred in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Local police also committed unlawful killings against Muslim communities in various regions.

Indian authorities arrested many Muslims for peaceful religious activities. These arrests included people offering prayers or breaking fasts. Some victims died in police custody from alleged torture. Hindu nationalist leaders used offensive terms against Muslims during public events. They also encouraged removing Muslim names from official voter registration lists. The BJP shared violent content depicting attacks on Muslims. Officials claimed Muslim citizens were illegal immigrants from neighboring countries.

The displacement of voting rights greatly affected Muslim communities. The voter revision process removed millions of people from lists. Muslims were more likely to lose their voting rights than others. The Special Intensive Revision targeted Bengali-speaking Muslims specifically. They faced systematic exclusion from the democratic system. This process pushed religious minorities further away from Indian political participation.

The United Nations raised serious concerns regarding police actions in India. Reports mentioned widespread killings and excessive use of force. Police stations failed to provide justice for Muslim victims. Officers often refused to register complaints against attackers. Many victims faced further harassment when seeking help. Religious minorities in India continue to face significant risks. Their fundamental rights remain heavily compromised by state and non-state actors.