Law, Identity and Exclusion: A Human Rights Perspective on Islamophobia in India

Islamophobia has emerged as a significant socio-legal challenge in contemporary India, raising serious questions about constitutionalism, minority rights, and democratic governance. This paper examines Islamophobia not merely as a social prejudice but as a systemic phenomenon embedded within political discourse, media representation, and selective legal enforcement. By situating Islamophobia within India’s constitutional framework and international human rights obligations, the paper analyses its causes, manifestations, and consequences. It argues that Islamophobia undermines constitutional morality, erodes the rule of law, and poses long-term threats to India’s pluralistic democracy. The paper concludes by proposing legal and institutional reforms grounded in equality, secularism, and human dignity.