‘We’re Indians or not?’: Pune Muslim voters on hate speech, targeted crime, political representation

Maharashtra, known for its cultural diversity, has seen a troubling rise in hate speeches and targeted hate crimes in recent years. Last year, the state recorded the highest number of such incidents in the country – 118 hate speeches, mostly aimed at Muslims. 

In the heart of Pune’s Hadapsar constituency, home to over 1.42 lakh Muslim voters, Newslaundry spoke to locals about the climate of fear fuelled by hate crime, their experiences, and their frustrations not only with rising hostility but also purported political marginalisation. 

In the 21 assembly seats in Pune, neither the governing Mahayuti alliance nor the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi have fielded any Muslim candidate, raising concerns about political representation in the face of polarisation.

Watch.

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