**The Erosion of Secular India: A Muslim's Lament**
Asad's words are a powerful indictment of the state of affairs in India, a country that was once hailed as a beacon of secularism and democracy. His personal account of the past 33 years is a chilling reminder of how the very fabric of Indian society has been torn apart by the forces of communalism and bigotry.
**A Childhood of Fear**
Asad's story begins in 1992, with the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He was just a child at the time, but the event left an indelible mark on his psyche. The violence and hatred that followed the demolition were a harbinger of things to come, a sign that the India he knew was changing for the worse.
**The Rise of Communalism**
Over the years, Asad has watched as communalism has taken hold of India. The rise of the Hindu right has led to a surge in hate crimes against Muslims, and the government's response has been woefully inadequate. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are just a few examples of the policies that have been used to marginalize and exclude Muslims.
**The Vande Bharat Incident**
Asad's recent experience on the Vande Bharat train is a stark reminder of the reality of life as a Muslim in India today. The train was stopped at a
Asad's words are a powerful indictment of the state of affairs in India, a country that was once hailed as a beacon of secularism and democracy. His personal account of the past 33 years is a chilling reminder of how the very fabric of Indian society has been torn apart by the forces of communalism and bigotry.
**A Childhood of Fear**
Asad's story begins in 1992, with the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He was just a child at the time, but the event left an indelible mark on his psyche. The violence and hatred that followed the demolition were a harbinger of things to come, a sign that the India he knew was changing for the worse.
**The Rise of Communalism**
Over the years, Asad has watched as communalism has taken hold of India. The rise of the Hindu right has led to a surge in hate crimes against Muslims, and the government's response has been woefully inadequate. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are just a few examples of the policies that have been used to marginalize and exclude Muslims.
**The Vande Bharat Incident**
Asad's recent experience on the Vande Bharat train is a stark reminder of the reality of life as a Muslim in India today. The train was stopped at a