Modi’s Waning Grasp in India Shown by State Election Loss
TimeNov 29, 2022
The Facts
In India, two Muslim men on Sunday were allegedly attacked by vigilantes while carrying 450kg (990lbs) of meat from a vendor in Sangamner to Mumbai, with Afan Abdul Ansari, 32, dying, and Nasir Hussain, 24, being hospitalized. The men believed the duo was transporting cow meat, which is banned in the city of Nashik.
According to the police complaint, the two men were beaten by 15-20 men using "wooden sticks and metal rods." 11 were later arrested after Nasir gave a statement at the hospital.
The Spin
Narrative A
Islamophobic atrocities like this have been on the rise since Prime Minister Narendra Modi rose to power, and the government has done little to stop it. Not only did these vigilantes indiscriminately kill Ansari, but the police have since charged both victims with violating animal cruelty laws. The families of victims are also often poor, leaving their communities fearing for their lives and unable to afford legal protection.
Narrative B
While vigilantism should absolutely and always be condemned, Hindus also face a great deal of religious violence. Incidents against Muslims often receive disproportionate coverage compared to violence levied on Hindu communities. This is a tragic case, but more context must be provided in the media regarding the scope of religious violence in general.
