Zafarul Islam Khan, former chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, has alleged that Indian Muslim community is being targeted through the central government’s proposed High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC).
In an article published in The Milli Gazette, he claimed that the initiative is part of a broader plan to question Muslims’ citizenship and curtail their political rights.
He pointed out that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to reside and move freely throughout the country.
However, Khan alleged that the narrative of demographic change is being used to portray Indian Muslims as outsiders.
Referring to the growing influence of Hindutva ideology, he claimed that the issue of alleged “Bangladeshi infiltrators” is being used to cast suspicion on even those Muslims who are legitimate Indian citizens.
Citing National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam, Khan said a significant number of those identified during the process were Bengali Hindus.
The article also raised allegations that Muslims are being removed from electoral rolls in the name of voter list revision, alongside concerns surrounding Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC.
It further referred to allegations that mosques and madrasas located within 50 kilometres of the country’s northern borders are being targeted for removal.
Khan said these measures had created deep concern among Indian Muslims, who were continuing to pursue legal and democratic struggles against them.
