Asma Jahangir, Pakistani human rights activist, UN special rapporteur has reported India in a poor light in terms of freedom of religion and beliefs. The report alludes to a real risk of religious strife in India.
In her report to the UN, Asma raises several issues of concern on
1. The situation of religious and beleief minorities
2. Justice for victims and survivors of communal violence
3. Freedom of religion and belief in Jammu and Kashmir
4. Negative impact of laws on religious conversion in several states
5. Implications of religion based personal laws
Asma, reports about the plight of Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa where Communal violence had claimed 40 christian lives, 4000 christian homes destroyed, 50 churches demolished. 20000 people are living in relief cmapigns and 40000 hiding in jungles. Access to food, drinking water, clothes, sanitation and healthcare to these people is abysmal
Asma also brings to light the "ghetto"ization of Muslim community in certain parts of India. It speaks about discrimation in work space, economic activity and civic liberties. The Militant strikes only exacerbate the situation hardenning the rift lines. Within the ghetto, Communalism breeds in poor living and flawed communal education. This in turn becomes the breeding ground for militants!
The report expressses concern on the extended timeframe of investigations in cases involving communal riots, violence and massacres. Cases in point are Operation Blue Star (Punjab 1984), Babri Masjid Demolition (Ayodhya, 1992), Godhra (Gujarat, 2002). While these memories haunt the victims, the impunity olny emboldens the perpetrators of such violence!
J&K has been an old issue in these UN rapporteurs! Discrimination against Muslims and Expulsion of the Kashmiri pandits is still a wedge stuck between the communities in J&K. The Muslim population is vulnerable to the excesses of the security forces while the entire population is victim of violence perpetrated by the Islamic militants! Lately, there has been a de-escalation fo the violence but Muslims from Srinagar are still denies rights such as admission to hotels in other parst of the country because they are muslims from Kashmir!
In absence of a proper legislative framework and understanding, laws against religious conversions, these can be seen as a violation of personal rights! Inadequate legislaturehas adverse consequences for religious minorities and has reportedly fostered mob violence aganist them!
Read the full UN report here: http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G09/104/62/PDF/G0910462.pdf?OpenElement
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