Human Rights Watch says the Modi-led fascist BJP government in India is encouraging persecution of Muslims and other minorities by hardline Hindu nationalists since coming to power in 2014.

South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, Meenakshi Ganguly, said the BJP government has not only failed to protect Muslims and other minorities from attacks by Hindu extremists but is providing political patronage to these extremists.

A report of Human Rights Watch said the authorities in India have adopted laws and policies that systematically discriminate against Muslims and stigmatize critics of the government.

It said the prejudices embedded in the BJP government have infiltrated independent institutions, such as police and courts and empowered nationalist groups to threaten, harass, and attack religious minorities with impunity.

The report said since India’s independence, Muslims have faced systematic discrimination, prejudice, and violence, despite constitutional protections.