The signatories of the statement trace the anti-Muslim trend in India in recent months, from the hijab issue in January to the widespread communal violence around Ram Navami in April.
In the aftermath of a Hanuman Jayanti procession which saw stone pelting on April 16, most Muslims have had to leave the Bhagwanpur area. Those who stayed behind say they are in constant fear.
In his memorandum to the National Minority Commission, Congress's Aftab Ahmed has said that the country is seeing minorities being intimidated in the garb of celebrations, referring to the Ram Navami violence.
How difficult is it for all of us to say that Indian society should not be allowed to become one that tolerates and inflicts violence on Muslims? Even if this violence never hurts the interest of Hindus, it is surely still impermissible.