India, the world’s most populous democracy and a critical American ally, faces a moment of truth. At stake is the rule of law and the rights of Indian citizens.
More specifically, how India deals with a group of Hindu men accused of repeatedly raping and then murdering an 8-year-old Muslim girl, Asifa Bano. The murder took place in January in India’s Jammu and Kashmir’s province, and at least six men (including two police officers) have been arrested. Investigators say the perpetrators committed their crime in order to drive Muslims out of the local area (Jammu and Kashmir is renowned for its sectarian tension).
Yet while the state police are investigating with courage and effectiveness, thousands of Hindus have taken to the streets demanding that the arrested men be freed. The question is whether New Delhi will reject the specter of sectarian intrigue and defend the rule of law. So far there’s cause for hope.
While he has been criticized for 2002 sectarian riots that led to hundreds of Muslim deaths, in Bano’s case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is showing moral strength.
Challenging many in his Hindu nationalist party who wish for the girl’s suspected murderers to be released, Modi spoke out on Friday decrying the crime. “I want to assure the country,” he said, “that no culprit will be spared, complete justice will be done. Our daughters will definitely get justice.”
At the same time as he said this, Modi was forcing out two of his party’s ministers who had joined the protests.
Still, Modi’s leadership is crucial in the context of ongoing crisis of violence against girls and women across India. Indeed, another BJP official is currently the prime suspect in an unrelated rape-murder case.
Modi must now hold his nerve as some in the BJP and the government-aligned Hindu ultra-nationalist Shiv Sena party seek to take advantage of the tensions. If necessary, Modi must order federal forces to the streets to crush the Hindu rioters and send an unmistakable signal that the law will reign supreme.
After all, as tragic as her case is, this moment isn’t just about justice for Bano. It’s about ensuring that India realizes its potential as a pluralistic democracy in which all its citizens are respected and protected.
President Trump should offer his full support to the prime minister.
