India is witnessing a troubling exodus of its Muslim population — a community that makes up around 15% of the nation’s total — driven by decades-long discriminatory policies, especially under the rule of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These policies have evolved into a systematic framework of marginalisation, including extrajudicial killings, workplace discrimination, inflammatory political rhetoric, and a nationwide surge in Islamophobia, as reported by Middle East Eye.
According to Pew Research Center, India is now the second-largest exporter of Muslim migrants globally, following war-torn Syria. Currently, over six million Muslims born in India live abroad, representing about one-third of all Indian emigrants — a rate vastly disproportionate compared to other religious groups.
Although Islam is the second-largest religion in India, with more than 172 million Muslims, the country is seeing an unprecedented wave of migration that points to more than just economic motives.
A Climate of Hostility
Since Modi came to power in 2014, India’s political climate has grown increasingly hostile for Muslims. Under the BJP’s Hindutva-driven ideology, incidents of communal violence, discriminatory legislation, and hate speech have all escalated.
Muslims now face public lynchings over alleged beef consumption, anti-interfaith marriage campaigns, economic and social boycotts, and increasing barriers to employment and housing. Political leaders amplify anti-Muslim narratives, while social media platforms are flooded with hate speech, further fuelling societal division.
Mosques have been attacked, Islamic practices in public life targeted, and even basic religious identity has become a point of contention. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in its 2025 report called on Washington to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its severe religious freedom violations.
A recent joint study by India’s Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation revealed that 44% of Muslim youth report facing religious discrimination. Another survey showed 47% of Muslims fear being falsely accused of terrorism.
Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmed Siddiqui, a legal scholar and co-founder of the Mishkat project for Islamic public dialogue, explains:
“This isn’t just economic. It’s social, political, and deeply psychological. Indian Muslims increasingly feel like second-class citizens.”
From Temporary Migration to Permanent Exodus
Historically, Indian Muslims — particularly from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana — migrated to the Gulf for work, returning later. But now, that trend is shifting.
“Today, they are leaving to settle,” said Siddiqui. “They want their children raised in safer, more equitable environments.”
He cited personal experiences: being denied rental housing, profiled for wearing a beard, or feeling unsafe performing public prayers.
India’s Sectarian Landscape
The alienation of Muslims is inseparable from the broader sectarian crisis engulfing India. Hindu nationalism — the ideological backbone of the BJP — has systematically sidelined Muslims.
Contentious legislation like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) offers naturalisation to non-Muslim refugees from neighbouring countries. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) forces people to prove citizenship or face statelessness. And the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) threatens to override Islamic personal laws.
The BJP has empowered radical Hindu groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and Bajrang Dal, all linked to anti-Muslim violence and coercive “conversion” campaigns.
These groups portray Muslims as invaders, traitors, and “cow killers.” The 1992 demolition of the 16th-century Babri Masjid left deep scars. The 2019 Supreme Court ruling handing the disputed site to Hindus intensified that pain.
More recently, disputes over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Eidgah in Mathura have stoked tensions.
“Every two weeks there’s a new attack on our history, culture, or presence,” Siddiqui notes.
He also pointed to legal changes around Waqf properties and the push for a uniform civil code as legislative assaults on Islamic institutions.
“It’s exhausting. One crisis ends, another begins.”
Economic Exodus or Religious Cleansing?
Khawaja Mohammed, owner of Yaseen Travel Agency in Telangana (a state where Muslims make up under 13%), says:
“Roughly 30% of our visa applicants are Muslims.”
He added that Muslims are increasingly investing in Middle Eastern countries like the UAE and Turkey — a new pattern signalling permanent migration.
“They’re not just going for work. They’re planning to stay.”
Still, not all analysts agree the exodus is purely religious.
“Those migrating tend to be from resourceful classes. And Muslims are part of that,” noted Professor Apoorvanand Jha from Delhi University.
Yet even he acknowledges a rising despair among Muslim youth.
“This is the first time since independence that Indian youth — especially Muslims — feel such utter hopelessness. The economy is stagnant. Hate dominates the airwaves. Who’d want to stay in this?”
A Hope for Return
Despite the hostility, many Muslim emigrants still dream of returning — if the political climate improves.
Taufiq Ahmad, who migrated to Canada in 2020, says:
“My parents are ageing. I want to go back one day to care for them.”
But reflecting on his reasons for leaving, he shared:
“I was deeply disillusioned with our country. Casteism, inequality, broken cities — I could’ve endured it. But as a Muslim, the rising hatred was unbearable. The level of Islamophobia is shocking.”
Ahmad, now based in Toronto with his wife, says he’d only return to safer cities like Hyderabad or Chandigarh.
“Living in my hometown in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh means living under constant intimidation.”
“Everyday life becomes a minefield — filled with microaggressions, suspicion, and fear.”
Siddiqui remains cautiously hopeful.
“Reconciliation is possible. But only through institutional reform and public accountability. Muslims alone cannot fix this.”
Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution, he concluded:
“It’s the majority’s job to earn back the minority’s trust. That trust has been shattered. It must be rebuilt — not just for Muslims, but for India’s soul.”
