In a briefing sent to Members of the Delegation for Relations with India in the European Parliament, Humanists International outlined the challenges faced by non-religious individuals, humanists, and secularists in India, emphasising significant social discrimination, government-driven bias, and legal restrictions against these communities.
The briefing also underscored the rise in violence against religious minorities, particularly Muslims, and highlighted the use of vague and overbroad laws in India, specifically aimed at stifling criticism of religion.
Humanists International took the opportunity to call attention to two specific cases of concern, on which Humanists International is actively engaged: that of Narendra Nayak and Leena Manimekalai. Nayak, a prominent leader of the Indian rationalist community, has faced ongoing threats to his life; whilst Manimekalai, a published poet and award-winning filmmaker, is currently facing threats and judicial harassment after being accused of “hurting religious sentiments.”
Humanists International provided the Delegation with its briefing ahead of the 15th EU-India Inter-parliamentary meeting, which took place on 18-20 December 2023 in New Delhi and Mumbai (India).
Featured photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash.