Wall Street Journal criticizes Modi Govt over treatment of minorities

ISLAMABAD: The Wall Street Journal has sharply criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s Hindutva agenda, highlighting the worsening situation for religious minorities in the country. The report notes that both Muslims and Christians are facing severe discrimination and violence under Modi’s administration.

As per the report, India’s Hindutva mission has become a source of international embarrassment. The Journal described the BJP government as fascist, representing primarily the Hindu majority, and accused it of practicing religious and ethnic discrimination against minorities. Since 2014, Muslims in India have faced discrimination in housing, employment, education, and even voting rights.

Christians, who make up just 2.3 percent of India’s population, have also been targeted. In 2025 alone, 706 anti-Christian incidents were recorded, including attacks on churches, assaults during prayers, and vandalism of Christmas symbols. While attacks increased, Prime Minister Modi reportedly visited a church but did not condemn the violence, sending a signal to extremist Hindu elements.

The report also criticized anti-conversion laws, police inaction, and the state’s role in providing de facto protection to those committing violence against minorities. Religious minorities across India face symbolic and systematic attacks, and secularism in the country has largely become a slogan rather than a reality.

Violence against religious minorities has become increasingly normalized under Modi’s rule. The report highlighted specific incidents, including attacks on churches in Uttar Pradesh with crowds chanting death threats, assaults on blind women, and vandalism of Christmas decorations in Chhattisgarh. The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom has recommended designating India as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to religious violence and state inaction.

Observers have noted that the Modi government cannot disclaim responsibility for the destruction and violence occurring during Christmas, and its treatment of minorities has led to diplomatic isolation. Critics emphasize that India’s secular framework has effectively been dismantled under Modi, with extremist groups operating with impunity and the state remaining largely silent in the face of attacks.

The Wall Street Journal report underscores growing international concern over India’s treatment of minorities, particularly under the policies of the Modi government, which appears increasingly aligned with a Hindu nationalist agenda.