13

Feb

Communal Polarisation Has a Much-Feared Backlash

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Syed Khalique Ahmad

New Delhi | Friday | 13 February 2026

The worst fears of the people with a secular and liberal mindset, termed as anti-national by the BJP-RSS ecosystem, have come true. First, it was Shashi Tharoor who, some time back, in an article in a national magazine, quoted three stances of adverse reaction of foreigners to the anti-Muslim rhetoric since the start of the Modi era.  Now there is more evidence coming from Saudi Arabia, a country with which we had excellent relations not long ago.

The issue is whether Indians are facing increasing hostility in Saudi Arabia. Has the word “Indian” begun to be used as an insult in some contexts? Recent reports and online videos suggest that a troubling perception shift may be underway, raising questions about how India’s domestic political climate is shaping its image overseas.

Journalist Dinesh K. Bohra, in his programme World View on his YouTube channel News Time, recently discussed incidents from Saudi Arabia where Indians, particularly Hindus, have reportedly been subjected to abuse and stereotyping. He pointed to an episode at a trade exhibition where a local individual approached the booth of a major Indian company and remarked, “Everyone here is Hindu. Why are there no Muslims? Only Indians have come.” In that setting, “Indian” appeared to be used not merely as a descriptor, but as a slur.

Bohra argued that such reactions may reflect a broader international trend. Similar sentiments, he noted, are being observed in parts of the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. “Perhaps the seeds we are sowing, especially the seeds of hatred, are now coming back to haunt us,” he said, suggesting that global perceptions are increasingly shaped by reports of communal tension in India.

Article at a Glance
The article argues that rising communal polarisation in India may be triggering an international backlash against Indians, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia. Citing reports and online videos, it highlights incidents where “Indian” was allegedly used as a slur, reflecting concerns that India’s domestic political climate is shaping perceptions abroad.
Commentary from journalists and analysts suggests that anti-Muslim rhetoric, vigilante activity, and divisive campaign speeches by prominent BJP leaders have drawn global attention.
Incidents involving companies such as Larsen & Toubro and debates around statements by leaders like Narendra Modi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Yogi Adityanath are presented as contributing to a narrative of majoritarianism.
The article warns that migrant workers and professionals may face stereotyping due to political developments at home, urging reflection to preserve India’s pluralistic image and protect its global reputation.

A Growing Concern in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia hosts millions of Indian expatriates who contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s workforce and economy. Yet Bohra claims that racist commentary targeting Indians is becoming more visible. In some cases, he said, calling someone “Indian” has reportedly become a way to insult them during confrontations.

A video circulating online shows a Saudi citizen approaching the booth of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of India’s largest multinational companies, accusing it of being a “Hindu company” without Muslim employees. He photographed the stall while repeating communal remarks. While the authenticity and broader context of the video remain debated, the incident has sparked discussion about identity-based stereotyping of Indians abroad.

The episode also highlights how Indian nationality is sometimes being viewed through a religious prism, with Hindu identity increasingly associated with the political narrative of majoritarianism.

Perception and Political Context

Analyst Amjad Taha condemned the targeting of Indians in Saudi Arabia, describing such behaviour as racist and inappropriate. He urged that individuals should not be attacked based on religion or nationality, and argued that India should not be reduced to communal stereotypes.

At the same time, observers note that India’s internal political discourse has become increasingly polarised. Reports of vigilante activity, hate speech, and communal mobilisation in parts of the country have drawn international attention. This has contributed to concerns that domestic developments may be influencing how Indians are perceived globally.

Leaders Under Scrutiny

In recent years, rhetoric from several prominent BJP leaders has been widely debated, especially during election campaigns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches during the 2024 general election drew criticism for references to Muslims as “infiltrators” and remarks about demographic fears. Human Rights Watch analysed campaign speeches and reported that apparent Islamophobic or derogatory references to minorities appeared in a significant number of them. Opposition parties filed complaints with the Election Commission, arguing that such language violated the Model Code of Conduct.

While Modi later stated in interviews that he does not engage in “Hindu-Muslim politics,” critics argue that messaging from senior leadership has contributed to an environment where communal stereotypes are normalised.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also faced allegations of targeting the “Miya” community, a term historically used as a pejorative for Bengali-origin Muslims. His statements framing the community as a demographic threat have sparked legal and political challenges. Organisations such as Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have accused him of using constitutional office to legitimise hostility, while Sarma defends his stance as necessary to address illegal migration.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has frequently employed slogans and narratives interpreted by critics as divisive, including repeated references to “love jihad” and “population jihad.” His government’s policy of demolishing properties of those accused of crimes—popularly termed “bulldozer justice”—has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations, which argue that Muslim households are disproportionately affected. Supporters, however, view it as a strong crackdown on criminality.

Domestic Discourse, International Consequences

India has long projected itself as a pluralistic democracy with a tradition of coexistence. However, sustained communal rhetoric and episodes of violence have increasingly shaped international media coverage. As a result, some analysts warn that ordinary Indians abroad may face stereotyping linked to political narratives they may not personally endorse.

Bohra emphasised that communities should not be painted with a single brush. “Just as all Hindus cannot be labelled extremists, all Muslims cannot be labelled terrorists,” he argued, noting that most citizens across faiths are peaceful and law-abiding.

The larger concern is that when political discourse becomes polarised, perceptions travel beyond borders. Migrant workers, students, and professionals often become the unintended targets of resentment shaped by headlines and social media narratives.

A Moment for Reflection

The reports emerging from Saudi Arabia may represent isolated incidents, but they also serve as a reminder of how domestic politics can influence international reputation. If India’s image becomes increasingly associated with communal division, the consequences may extend beyond internal social harmony to the safety and dignity of Indians living abroad.

The challenge before India is to preserve its democratic and inclusive ethos while ensuring that political mobilisation does not deepen fault lines at home or invite backlash overseas. (A senior journalist, Syed Khalique Ahmad, is editor of India Tomorrow.)

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