Communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in India is a deeply complex and sensitive issue, rooted in centuries of historical, political, and socio-economic developments. Since India’s independence in 1947, numerous riots have erupted, often involving violence by Hindu groups against Muslim communities, leading to significant loss of life, property, and social cohesion. This article provides an exhaustive examination of major riots where Hindus were implicated in violence against Muslims, spanning from 1948 to 2020. Each incident is analyzed in detail, covering its causes, events, consequences, and broader implications. The article also explores the historical context, systemic factors, and institutional responses that have shaped these events, aiming to offer a balanced, factual, and nuanced perspective.
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Historical Context of Hindu-Muslim Communal Violence
Pre-Independence Roots
The seeds of Hindu-Muslim communal tension were sown during centuries of Islamic rule under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, which some Hindu groups perceived as periods of religious suppression. The British colonial policy of “divide and rule” exacerbated these tensions by fostering separate religious identities, culminating in the traumatic Partition of 1947. The Partition, which created India and Pakistan, led to mass migrations and communal violence, with estimates of 1–2 million deaths and 15 million displaced. This historical backdrop set the stage for post-independence communal riots.
Post-Independence Dynamics
After 1947, India adopted a secular constitution, but communal tensions persisted due to:
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Political Mobilization: The rise of Hindu nationalist groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) often fueled religious polarization.
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Economic Disparities: Competition for resources in urban centers frequently sparked communal clashes.
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Religious Triggers: Disputes over religious sites, processions, and festivals often escalated into violence.
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State Failures: Inadequate police response and alleged complicity in some cases worsened outcomes.
This article focuses on ten major riots where Hindus were involved in violence against Muslims, listed below, followed by detailed accounts of each.
List of Major Riots (1948–2020)
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1948 Hyderabad Massacres
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1969 Gujarat Riots
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1983 Nellie Massacre
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1984 Bhiwandi Riots
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1985 Gujarat Riots
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1989 Bhagalpur Riots
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1992–93 Bombay Riots
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2002 Gujarat Riots
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2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots
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2020 Delhi Riots
Detailed Accounts of Hindu-Muslim Riots
1. 1948 Hyderabad Massacres
Background: The princely state of Hyderabad, ruled by the Muslim Nizam, had a Hindu-majority population. After India’s independence, the Nizam resisted integration, leading to Operation Polo, a military operation by the Indian Army in September 1948 to annex Hyderabad.
Causes: The Razakars, a Muslim militia supporting the Nizam, committed atrocities against Hindus, escalating communal tensions. After the Indian Army’s victory, retaliatory violence by Hindu groups targeted Muslim communities, who were seen as loyal to the Nizam.
Events: The violence began post-Operation Polo, with Hindu mobs attacking Muslim villages and urban neighborhoods. Reports suggest systematic targeting of Muslim homes, businesses, and mosques. The Indian government’s Sunderlal Committee estimated 26,000–40,000 deaths, though unofficial figures range higher.
Impact:
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Casualties: Predominantly Muslims, with thousands killed and many injured.
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Displacement: Tens of thousands of Muslims fled Hyderabad, seeking safety in other parts of India or Pakistan.
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Long-term Effects: The massacres deepened communal mistrust in Hyderabad, with lasting impacts on the city’s demographic and social fabric.
Source: Wikipedia, Violence Against Muslims in India; The Hindu, Historical Accounts of Hyderabad Annexation
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2. 1969 Gujarat Riots
Background: Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s commercial hub, witnessed one of the first major post-independence communal riots in 1969, reflecting growing tensions in urban India.
Causes: The riots were triggered by a dispute over a religious procession, reportedly involving a clash between Hindu and Muslim groups. Socio-economic disparities, with Muslims often in lower economic strata, fueled resentment. Political instigation by local groups added to the volatility.
Events: Hindu mobs targeted Muslim neighborhoods in Ahmedabad, engaging in arson, looting, and killings. The police were criticized for inaction, allowing the violence to spread. The riots lasted several days, with curfews imposed to restore order.
Impact:
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Casualties: Approximately 630 deaths, with a significant proportion being Muslims.
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Property Damage: Muslim homes, shops, and mosques were destroyed, causing economic devastation.
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Social Impact: The riots marked the beginning of Gujarat’s history of communal violence, setting a precedent for future clashes.
Source: Wikipedia, Violence Against Muslims in India; Sciences Po, Communal Riots in India
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3. 1983 Nellie Massacre
Background: The Nellie massacre in Assam remains one of India’s deadliest single-day communal violence incidents, targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Causes: The Assam Agitation (1979–1985), led by the All Assam Students Union, aimed to expel perceived illegal immigrants, primarily Bengali Muslims from Bangladesh. Tensions peaked during the 1983 state elections, which the agitation sought to boycott. On February 18, 1983, a mob of Assamese Hindus and tribal groups attacked Muslim villages in Nellie.
Events: Armed with machetes and other weapons, the mob massacred men, women, and children in six hours. The violence was marked by extreme brutality, with entire villages razed.
Impact:
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Casualties: Official estimates report 2,191 deaths, though unofficial figures suggest up to 10,000, mostly Muslims.
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Displacement: Thousands of survivors fled, living in relief camps or relocating permanently.
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Legacy: The massacre highlighted ethnic and religious tensions in Assam, with no convictions despite investigations.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı, Timeline of Major Communal Riots; The Wire, Revisiting Nellie Massacre
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4. 1984 Bhiwandi Riots
Background: Bhiwandi, a textile hub in Maharashtra, saw communal violence in 1984, affecting nearby towns like Jalgaon and Mahad.
Causes: The riots stemmed from local socio-political rivalries and religious provocations. A Hindu procession reportedly sparked tensions, leading to violence by Hindu mobs against Muslim communities.
Events: Muslim homes, businesses, and mosques were targeted with arson and vandalism. The police struggled to control the situation, and curfews were imposed.
Impact:
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Casualties: Hundreds were killed, predominantly Muslims, with significant injuries.
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Economic Loss: Muslim-owned textile units faced heavy losses, impacting Bhiwandi’s economy.
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Social Impact: The riots reinforced communal segregation in the region.
Source: Wikipedia, Violence Against Muslims in India
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5. 1985 Gujarat Riots
Background: Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat faced another wave of communal violence in 1985, following earlier riots in 1969.
Causes: The riots began as protests against reservation policies for backward classes, which upper-caste Hindus opposed. When Muslim shopkeepers refused to join a bandh (shutdown) called by Hindu groups, communal tensions escalated. Police complicity was reported, with Hindu mobs targeting Muslim areas.
Events: The violence involved arson, looting, and killings in Muslim neighborhoods. The riots spread across Gujarat, lasting weeks.
Impact:
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Casualties: Over 200 deaths, mostly Muslims.
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Property Damage: Muslim businesses and homes were destroyed, deepening economic disparities.
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Long-term Effects: The riots further polarized Gujarat’s communal landscape.
Source: Sciences Po, Hindu-Muslim Communal Riots
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6. 1989 Bhagalpur Riots
Background: The Bhagalpur riots in Bihar were among the most brutal communal clashes of the 1980s, linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
Causes: A Ram Shila procession, part of the campaign to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, passed through Muslim areas, sparking clashes. Hindu mobs, allegedly backed by local political elements, targeted Muslim communities.
Events: The violence lasted weeks, with widespread arson, looting, and massacres in Muslim villages. The police were accused of bias, with some officers participating in the violence.
Impact:
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Casualties: Over 1,000 deaths, mostly Muslims, with thousands injured.
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Displacement: Approximately 50,000 Muslims were displaced, leading to ghettoization.
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Judicial Outcome: Investigations led to few convictions, fueling distrust in institutions.
Source: Wikipedia, Violence Against Muslims in India; The Indian Express, Bhagalpur Riots Revisited
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7. 1992–93 Bombay Riots
Background: The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, by Hindu militants sparked nationwide communal violence, with Bombay (now Mumbai) witnessing severe riots.
Causes: The mosque’s destruction inflamed Muslim sentiments, leading to protests that turned violent. Hindu mobs, allegedly supported by the Shiv Sena, retaliated by targeting Muslim communities.
Events: The riots occurred in two phases (December 1992 and January 1993), involving arson, looting, and killings in Muslim-dominated areas like Dongri and Bhendi Bazaar. Police bias was widely reported.
Impact:
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Casualties: Approximately 900 deaths, with two-thirds being Muslims.
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Property Damage: Thousands of Muslim homes and businesses were destroyed.
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Social Impact: The riots led to communal polarization and were followed by the 1993 Bombay bombings, linked to Muslim retaliation.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations, India’s Muslims; Wikipedia, 1992–93 Bombay Riots
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8. 2002 Gujarat Riots
Background: The 2002 Gujarat riots are among India’s most infamous communal violence incidents, drawing global attention.
Causes: On February 27, 2002, a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire in Godhra, killing 59 people. Hindu groups blamed Muslims, leading to widespread retaliatory violence. Critics allege state complicity under Chief Minister Narendra Modi, with inadequate police action.
Events: Hindu mobs attacked Muslim neighborhoods across Gujarat, particularly in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and rural areas. The violence included massacres, arson, and sexual violence. Notable incidents include the Naroda Patiya and Gulbarg Society massacres.
Impact:
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Casualties: Official figures report 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus killed, with 2,548 injured. Unofficial estimates suggest up to 2,000 deaths, mostly Muslims.
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Displacement: Over 150,000 people, primarily Muslims, were displaced.
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Global Reaction: The riots drew international condemnation, with human rights groups alleging state-sponsored violence.
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Judicial Outcome: Some convictions occurred (e.g., Naroda Patiya case), but key figures were acquitted, raising questions about justice.
Source: The New York Times, Sectarian Violence in India; Human Rights Watch, Gujarat Riots Report
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9. 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots
Background: The Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh were a significant communal clash in the 2010s, affecting rural and urban areas.
Causes: The riots began with an altercation between Hindu and Muslim youths, fueled by rumors of harassment. Provocative speeches by political leaders escalated tensions, leading to violence by Hindu mobs against Muslim communities.
Events: The violence spread across Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts, with attacks on Muslim villages. Arson, looting, and killings were reported, with inadequate police response.
Impact:
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Casualties: Over 60 deaths, mostly Muslims.
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Displacement: Approximately 50,000 Muslims were displaced, living in relief camps for months.
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Political Impact: The riots polarized voters, influencing the 2014 general elections.
Source: Ballard Brief, Violence Against Muslims in India; The Hindu, Muzaffarnagar Riots Analysis
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10. 2020 Delhi Riots
Background: The 2020 Delhi riots in North East Delhi were linked to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), perceived as discriminatory against Muslims.
Causes: Clashes between pro- and anti-CAA groups escalated into communal violence. Hindu mobs targeted Muslim neighborhoods, fueled by inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders. Police inaction and alleged complicity were widely reported.
Events: The violence, concentrated in areas like Jafrabad and Maujpur, involved arson, looting, and targeted killings. Mosques and Muslim homes were destroyed, with brutal acts of violence documented.
Impact:
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Casualties: 53 deaths, two-thirds Muslims, with hundreds injured.
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Displacement: Over 1,000 Muslims sought shelter in relief camps.
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Global Attention: The riots drew criticism from international human rights organizations.
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Judicial Outcome: Investigations are ongoing, with limited convictions to date.
Source: Wikipedia, 2020 Delhi Riots; Al Jazeera, Delhi Riots Coverage
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