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Monday, October 7, 2024

‘Talk to a Muslim’ highlights the rising anti-Muslim sentiments in India

News Desk |

Hashtag ‘Talk to a Muslim” has become a top trend on Indian social media after a writer Zainab Sikander took to Twitter and initiated this trend. In just three hours, Hashtag Talk to a Muslim was tweeted over 7000 times.


Thousands of people including Muslims, Hindus, Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities took part in the social media campaign that was aimed to highlight the growing anti-Muslim sentiments in India. Actor celebrities like Veere Di Wedding’s Swara Bhaskar and Gauhar Khan voiced their opinion in the campaign.

Zainab Sikander tweeted:  “I’m An Indian Muslim. I’m Human too. You can talk to me. #TalkToAMuslim.”

Read more: Indian leaders’ rhetoric reflect Anti-Muslim atmosphere

What Triggered the Social Media Campaign?

The social media campaign was in response to Rahul Gandhi who reiterated his support for the ethnic minorities and sects in his tweet.


He wrote: “I stand with the last person in the line. The exploited, marginalized and the persecuted. Their religion, caste or beliefs matter little to me. I seek out those in pain and embrace them. I erase hatred and fear. I love all living beings. I am the Congress.”


Rahul Gandhi tweeted in response to a controversial statement passed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on him and his party during his meeting with Muslim leaders and activists.

A BJP leader, PM Modi attacked his political opponent Rahul Gandhi and his party Congress and called it a ‘Muslim Party’. He quoted Gandhi as saying that he wanted the continuation of triple talaq. He blamed the party wants to gain the sympathies of minorities before the 2019 elections.

The President of Congress Party Rahul Gandhi denied making any such statements and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attributing false statements to him. Scores of tweeps pointed to various serious hate crimes rising against Muslims that includes beating, lynching, physical assaults, and harassment.

The extremist narrative has become more popular on Indian social media since BJP leader Narendra Modi came to power. He is being criticized for his inaction towards the rising ethnic violence against Muslims in his rule.

Read more: Diplomatic harassment in India and anti-Muslim rhetoric may prove to be…

There were, however, many who opposed this social media campaign. They have expressed their disgust and stated it a mere effort to malign India. According to them, things are not that bad in the country.

The social media trend is an attempt to encourage people to think beyond communities, religions, and sects to preserve secularism in the country.