India saw 84% rise in communal riots in 2024; Maharashtra, UP, Bihar among worst affected: Report
New Delhi: India witnessed a sharp increase in communal riots in 2024, with 59 incidents reported, an 84 percent rise from the 32 riots in 2023, according to a new report by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism.
The report, titled Hegemony and Demolitions: The Tale of Communal Riots in India in 2024, highlighted that Maharashtra recorded the highest number of communal riots, with 12 out of the total 59 incidents. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar followed closely with seven riots each. The riots resulted in 13 deaths, of which 10 were Muslims and three Hindus.
Authored by human rights activists Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade, and Mithila Raut, the findings are based on reports from the Mumbai editions of five newspapers: The Hindu, The Times of India, The Indian Express, Shahafat, and The Inquilab.
The report, as cited by Scroll, noted that the surge in the number of communal riots in India last year can partly be attributed to the general elections that were held in April/ May.
It also pointed out that a significant portion of the communal riots, 26 out of 59, occurred during religious festivals or processions. Four of these riots coincided with the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in January 2024. Seven riots occurred during Saraswati Puja idol immersions, four during Ganesh festivals, and two during Bakri Eid.
“This data highlights how religious celebrations are increasingly being used to fuel communal tensions and political mobilisation,” the report mentioned.
Additionally, six riots were related to contested places of worship, with Hindutva groups claiming that mosques and dargahs were illegal or constructed after demolishing Hindu religious sites.
The authors also pointed out a troubling trend of the government disproportionately targeting the Muslim community in cases of communal riots in recent years. “These actions include using bulldozers to demolish properties owned by Muslims, causing significant economic damage. Additionally, the state has slapped cases and implicated the members of the Muslim community, even in instances where they are victims of violence during communal riots,” they said.
The authors further noted that while the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Crime Records Bureau maintain comprehensive records of communal riots in India, both agencies have stopped publishing the data regularly.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
