While popular spiritual guru Sadhguru travels the world preaching about soil conservation and interfaith unity, a Muslim award-winning author and activist exposes the glaring silence of India’s most influential voices on the systematic targeting of Muslims in India — including the horrific case of Bilkis Bano, a pregnant Muslim woman who was gang-raped while 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter, were murdered.
The Case That Shook the World’s Conscience
In one of the most disturbing miscarriages of justice in modern history, 11 men who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members were released by the Indian government. The justification given was that these men were Brahmins — members of the highest caste — and therefore “good people.” Bilkis Bano was five months pregnant when she was attacked, and she lost her pregnancy. The BBC reported that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved their premature release.
“Not only were they convicted of gang rape — they were convicted of murdering people. Her child died, her pregnancy was lost. And they were released because they were Brahmin and high-caste people. This is one of the rare cases where conviction even took place.”
The Rise of Hindutva Extremism
The guest explains that Hindutva — the extremist political ideology — must be distinguished from Hinduism as a faith, just as ISIS and Daesh must be distinguished from Islam. Powerful political figures in India, including the chief minister of India’s largest state, have publicly called for digging up Muslim women from their graves and violating them. Hitler’s autobiography remains a bestseller in India, and the RSS — the ideological parent organization of the ruling party — has deep historical connections to fascist ideology that most Westerners know nothing about.
“Modi was banned from entering America for 10 years because of what happened under his watch. About a thousand Muslims were officially murdered, but Muslims believe tens of thousands were killed. And not a single word from India’s most popular spiritual guru about any of it.”
What Good People Can Do Right Now
- Google “Hitler Hindu,” “killers of Gandhi,” and “Hindu RSS” to educate yourself on what is happening in India right now
- Christians should contact their churches, Muslims should ask their Masjids, and Hindus should demand their temples speak out against Hindutva extremism
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught to consume less and share more — even instructing not to waste water even if you have an ocean’s worth
- As children of Adam and Eve, we are one human brotherhood and sisterhood with an obligation to stand up for each other against oppression regardless of faith or background
