Oral Statement – 16th session of UN Forum on Minority Issues Session 1 – Challenges to Inclusion & Equality Thank you, I am speaking on today’s theme in the context of India. Minority in any democracy has three major concerns: security, equality, and identity, security being the prime. In India in recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of demolishing houses and establishments of Muslims in a direct assault to their security. This trend is absurdly called “bulldozer justice” that selectively has targeted Muslims and has become a symbol for Hindu nationalist politicians. This trend is a major challenge to inclusion and equality which Human Rights Watch[1] and the United Nations Special Rapporteurs[2], have called out as ‘collective punishment’[3] against Muslims. Over 200 million Muslims are at risk of mass violence, homelessness & potential for genocide.[4] Although the United Nations special rapporteurs in June 2022 wrote to the Modi government raising serious concerns over the arbitrary home demolitions against Muslim, they have disregarded the recommendation and continued the demolitions. We have a full report of these activities to submit to the council or for interested Human rights organizations to work with. I urge the Council to condemn these human rights violations and urge India to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the demolition of properties and forced eviction of Minorities in India. The enhanced sense of security of life and property, will result into consultation, cooperation & confidence building that will greatly answer the challenges to inclusion & equality. References: [1] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/india [2] https://thewire.in/rights/un-special-rapporteurs-condemn-home-demolitions-in-india-see-collective-punishment-ofmuslim [3] https://thewire.in/rights/collective-punishment-for-muslims-human-rights-watch-slams-demolition-drives-in-bjp-ruledstates [4] https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/dr-stanton-notes-early-warning-signs-of-genocide-in-india APPENDIX: -In the state of Assam Official Data indicates that over 4,449 Muslim families in Assam faced eviction since May 2021. -Recently, BJP leaders asked Muslims in Uttarakhand to vacate their homes and businesses. -In April 2022 more than 100 Muslim establishments including houses & shops were bulldozed after the communal violence in Khargone & Sendhwa in Madhya Pradesh, India. -In August 2023, in the town of Nuh in Indian state of Haryana more than 1200 homes, businesses and roadside shanties, belonging to Muslims–were bulldozed by the state authorities after communal violence. -In January 2023, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Adityanath justified the demolitions as a potential "sign of peace".