Extremist Hindu groups believe that every large mosque, if excavated, would reveal that it was built upon the ruins of a Hindu temple—even the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred site. They assert that the idols once surrounding it were Hindu deities, and that rituals like Tawaf (circumambulation) and the Ihram garments worn during Hajj are actually ancient Hindu rites stolen by Muslims. These claims are eerily similar to Israeli allegations about the so-called Third Temple under Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Such a perspective reveals how Hindu extremists in India view Muslim sacred sites and rituals as part of a stolen heritage. With increasing political and social power, they now seek to “reclaim” this alleged legacy by seizing Muslim mosques, arguing that many were built by Muslim rulers atop ancient Hindu temples.
These aren’t new or baseless claims. Ancient Hindu texts and narratives have long supported these views, but their influence has grown exponentially due to the rise of Hindu nationalism, which has turned Islam into a fabricated enemy to unite a fractured Hindu society riddled with caste divisions and a multitude of gods and sects.
Hindu nationalists further fuel these tensions with false alarms that Muslims—despite being only 200 million among 900 million Hindus—will soon overtake the majority and rule India again.
Hindu Nationalism and the Erasure of Muslim History
As explained by Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan in his book Hindu Nationalism: How It Reshaped Indian Politics and Marginalized Indian Muslims, the movement emerged in the late 19th century. It views Hindus as the supreme people and identifies Islam as the greatest threat, followed by Christianity and communism.
One of their core goals is a so-called “Shuddhi” or purification campaign—aimed at reconverting millions of Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism, the so-called “faith of their forefathers.”
These movements have increasingly focused on seizing mosques and Islamic landmarks. One of the most famous examples is the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Hindu nationalists claimed it was built on the ruins of a Shiva temple and demanded excavations, despite the Indian government denying such claims in 2015. Yet, under Modi’s government, efforts to rewrite and erase Muslim history continue unabated.
The Fall of Babri Mosque and a Dangerous Precedent
The destruction of Babri Mosque stands as a stark example. Built in 1528 by Mughal emperor Babur, the mosque was claimed by Hindus to sit on the site of a former Ram temple. After violent assaults, the mosque was finally demolished, and in 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a Hindu temple on its site, symbolising an aggressive assertion of Hindu dominance. That same date marked the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s autonomous status, India’s only Muslim-majority state.
More Mosques Targeted for Takeover
Babri Mosque was only the beginning. Hindu nationalists now have a list of hundreds of mosques they aim to reclaim. Among them is the Eidgah Mosque in Mathura, allegedly built atop a Krishna temple. In 1968, Muslims and Hindus signed an agreement, overseen by the courts, to split the site—Muslims kept the mosque, and Hindus built a temple nearby. Now, decades later, Hindus have reneged on the agreement and demand the demolition of the mosque entirely.
This approach eerily mirrors Israeli efforts to partition Al-Aqsa Mosque, laying the groundwork for eventual takeover.
Another major target is the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, which Hindus claim was built over a destroyed section of a Hindu temple during Aurangzeb’s reign in 1664. Despite the adjacent temple still standing, the courts—staffed by Hindu nationalist judges—often favor these radical claims, stoking further tensions.
Rewriting History and Erasing Identity
The war on Muslim history in India is not just about seizing mosques. It also involves changing city and village names, replacing Islamic-sounding names with Hindu alternatives, thus rewriting India’s historical narrative to exclude Muslim contributions.
This policy continues the legacy of British colonialism, which rewrote Muslim rule in India as a period of tyranny. The British sought revenge for the 1857 uprising, which was led largely by Muslims, by confiscating their properties and empowering Hindus instead. Dr. Khan elaborates on this in his book Muslims in India: Between Harsh Reality and Future Challenges.
The Myth of ‘Love Jihad’
Adding to the smear campaign, Hindu extremists have promoted the idea of “Love Jihad”—a conspiracy theory claiming that Indian Muslims, with alleged foreign support, are strategically marrying Hindu women to convert them to Islam and increase the Muslim population. They accuse Muslim men of using force or financial temptation in a so-called plot to “Islamize” India.
Conclusion: A Campaign to Erase Muslim Heritage and Future
The targeted campaign by Hindu extremist groups to seize Muslim mosques is not just an assault on sacred spaces, but an attempt to erase centuries of Islamic heritage in India. It’s a calculated effort to marginalize Muslims, restrict their rights, and rewrite history to paint them as invaders rather than contributors to India’s rich cultural mosaic.
Today, Indian Muslims face discriminatory laws, hijab bans, and are frequently scapegoated for violence. Their homes are demolished for peacefully protesting, and they are regularly dehumanized in media outlets close to the ruling party.
In this climate of hate and exclusion, one can only imagine the future if the shadow of Hindu extremism continues to loom over the country.
