Every Indian Muslim is familiar with the pause, that moment when someone, usually a Hindu, hears their name and reacts with surprise and confusion that they are also Indian. It implies suspicion, as if they are Indians with an asterisk or not Indians at all. This experience is not new. It has been passed down through generations, from my father in Tanzania to his father in India. But now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the presumptions about Indian identity have narrowed even further.
India used to be more accepting and tolerant, or so we Indian Muslims often say when Hindus are around. But the truth is that India is now Modi, and the United States is partly to blame for embracing him. Ever since Modi became prime minister, Indian Muslims have faced attacks and even killings for simply being themselves. They are targeted for eating beef, attending Hindu festivals, falling in love with Hindus, expressing themselves on social media, and more.
Despite these challenges, Modi remains a popular leader, both in India and in America. He has received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora in the United States, with large gatherings and fervent support. Sadly, many of Modi’s supporters are known for their rowdy behavior and religious discrimination. They have driven bulldozers through Indian-dominated cities, attacked Muslims, and displayed a hatred that is alarming.
As an Indian American, I find myself avoiding other Indian Americans at social gatherings because I have grown tired of feeling like I must hide parts of myself to be accepted. I was born in California to Gujarati immigrants from East Africa, and my first visit to Gujarat, India was marred by the horrific 2002 pogrom against Muslims. What struck me during that time was the lack of support from my Hindu friends, whom I once loved. It left me questioning why so few of them stood up for us.
As Modi visits America, I wish I had the opportunity to remind elected officials of their influence over India. I spent years living in a Muslim ghetto in Ahmedabad, investigating the aftermath of the pogrom for a book I am writing. I experienced firsthand the indifference and even hostility towards Muslims from officials in Modi’s government. However, there was also a desperation for validation from America.
Modi is a strongman in India, but abroad, he craves adulation. The United States can exert its influence and potentially change his course. Without intervention, Modi’s vision for India and its diaspora will become irreversible. As a father, I worry about the future for my son, Mirza. I hope he continues to proudly declare his Indian heritage, but I fear that he, too, will be told he is not Indian.
Overall, the situation for Indian Muslims is dire. Conditions in India have been compared to those of countries on the brink of genocide. Hate crimes have increased, religious discrimination is rampant, and marginalized groups are under attack. It is crucial for the international community, especially the United States, to take a stand and speak out against these injustices.
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