Hate incidents against Muslims and Sikhs overshadow India Independence Day celebrations

India celebrated its 78th Independence Day amid both festivities and unsettling incidents in several regions, highlighting tensions that cloud the spirit of unity.

In Gujarat, controversy arose when reports emerged that Muslim schoolgirls were made to participate in a parade depicting them as "terrorists." Online videos showed children dressed in traditional Muslim attire linked to imagery associated with extremism. Local community leaders condemned the portrayal as deeply inappropriate, warning it could foster stigmatization of young girls.

On Independence Day in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, Kumbharwada School staged a play where students dressed in burqas were shown as terrorists. The act included a song about Kashmir and an audio clip mentioning killings in Pahalgam. After the video went viral, people expressed... pic.twitter.com/qHJtDc0GUq

- The Observer Post (@TheObserverPost) August 17, 2025

In Bihar, public spaces were plastered with posters carrying threats and offensive messages targeting Muslims and Sikhs. Authorities quickly removed many of the materials and initiated investigations, while civil rights organizations cautioned that such public displays of hatred indicate a worrying trend toward normalizing intolerance.

Minority representatives and human rights advocates emphasized that Independence Day should reaffirm India's constitutional principles of equality, secularism, and inclusivity. Observers noted that these incidents reflect how debates over religion and nationalism continue to shape the social and political environment.

Despite nationwide celebrations and flag-hoisting ceremonies, the focus on minority communities' vulnerabilities cast a shadow over the day. Commentators argued that the nation's long-term unity relies on protecting diversity and ensuring that all citizens feel safe and valued-especially on a day meant to commemorate freedom from colonial rule.