MT Desk: A United Nations official has condemned India’s failure to protect its Muslim minority following an attack in Pahlgam, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as a new report documents a systematic wave of hate crimes across India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Professor Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, told a US Congressional briefing that “India is not living up to its international commitment” to protect religious minorities from violence and discrimination.

The criticism comes as the Association for Protection of Civil Rights documented 184 hate incidents against Muslims in just over two weeks following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.

The incidents affected at least 316 victims across 19 Indian states, including hate speech, mob assaults, mosque vandalism and killings. “The state has a duty to protect its citizens. The state has a duty to allow everyone to live in safety,” Professor Levrat said. “Very obviously the state is not properly protecting Muslims in India and as far as we can see there are incendiary narratives being brought up by the authorities even at the highest level.”

Professor Levrat, who was appointed to his UN role in October 2023, noted that India has ratified international treaties that guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination. He said Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has signed, states that “no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.”