The ISIS-backed publication “Voice of Khurasan” has an article in its most recent edition that criticises India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hindus, and Hindu leaders. The publication accused Indian Hindu leaders of being anti-Muslim and openly called for the annihilation of Hindus.
The item on the cover page, “O Polytheist Indian Kings! “Be ready to face Mahmud Ghaznavi again!” exhorted Islamists to wage bloody jihad against India and its leaders and demanded the eradication of the Hindu population. In an attempt to justify Hindu genocide, the writer invoked historical Islamic conquest.
The article’s instructions were to “target crowded places, hit the Indian polytheists with cars, cut their stomachs with knives, burn temples, houses, cars, property, and crops.” It further exhorted Islamists everywhere to strike India if Indian Muslims are unable to assault Hindus. The statement said, “The gates of all the Wilayat of the Islamic State are yours to advance if the Muslims in India are not able to overcome these polytheists.”
The global struggle between Islam and its “perceived enemies,” which include India, was discussed in the essay. It asserted that the dissidents of the East and the West were working together to demolish the Islamic Ummah. According to ISIS in the magazine, non-Muslims are insulting Islamic Sharia, seizing Muslim territory, and treating Muslim women with disrespect. It went on to say that Muslims’ love of this world and their dread of dying kept them from participating in jihad because of a crisis inside the Muslim community.
Aiming at Indians, Hindus, and Hindu authorities
The essay with a focus on India called Indian leaders—more especially, those affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—Muslim oppressors. It exalted the historical Islamic conquerors who conducted incursions into the Indian subcontinent centuries ago, such as Mahmud Ghaznavi and Muhammad bin Qasim. The author advocated for the resuscitation of their conquests using these figures. The article supported armed jihad as a means of achieving the goal of modern Muslims reclaiming the Indian subcontinent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the target
ISIS accused India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, of being a devoted opponent of Islam and deliberately targeted him. ISIS accused PM Modi and the BJP of mistreating Indian Muslims by employing the same liberal clichés. ISIS cited the building of Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as a major grievance, highlighting the court-ordered demolition of an illegal edifice (referred to as Babri Masjid by the Magazine). The post went on to accuse PM Modi of ridiculing Islamic customs and laws and characterising his government as an extreme Hindu nationalist government that oppresses Muslims.
According to ISIS, PM Modi referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” in his election speech. It is important to keep in mind that while PM Modi was discussing illegal immigrants who had invaded India from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other places, “liberals,” Indian Islamists, and the Congress disseminated false information, claiming that all Indian Muslims were infiltrators.
Insults directed towards Ram Mandir
It was evident from the magazine that ISIS desired an attack on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. ISIS claimed that offensive music was being played on the property during raucous gatherings where alcohol was served in an attempt to further degrade Muslims, even as it called on Muslims to assault the Temple. The text stated, “On that blessed land of the mosque, cows and idols are now worshipped, and there also, vulgar songs, alcohol, and obscene parties are being held to further humiliate Muslims.”
ISIS also voiced shock over PM Modi’s attendance at the January 2024 Pran Prathishta celebration, together with celebrities, businesspeople, and politicians. The opening ceremony featured participation from politicians, affluent Indians, and even Bollywood actor Modi, who praised the decision to convert Babri Masjid to Ram Mandir as equitable and fair.
Targeting Nupur Sharma
ISIS targeted former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma in its publication. The article referred to Sharma’s allegedly contentious remarks indirectly, characterising them as extremely insulting. Notably, Nupur Sharma had begun to make fewer public appearances and had just congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his third consecutive victory in the general elections at the time of the remarks made against her. ISIS used the event as justification for their call for a violent jihad against India. According to the article, Indian political figures have a history of showing disrespect and animosity towards Islam and Muslims, which includes these kinds of remarks.
It is important to keep in mind that Nupur Sharma repeated claims made by several Islamic academics, including Zakir Naik, in her remarks. It is nearly crucial to remember that, in the Times Now debate, Tasleem Rehmani had insulted Lord Shiva and the Shivling that was discovered at the Gyanvapi premises. Nupur Sharma was answering him. Muhammad Zubair of AltNews, an Islamist propagandist, altered Nupur Sharma’s video to imply that she had insulted Islam without indicating what she was responding to. Threats of rape, murder, and Sar Tan se Juda were directed at Nupur Sharma as soon as Mohammad Zubair uploaded the modified video.
The next target for jihadis is Madhvi Latha Kompella, a BJP leader
In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Madhvi Latha Kompella, a BJP candidate from Hyderabad, faced off against AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. Even though she was unable to defeat Owaisi, she was able to cause anxiety in the AIMIM cadre and force Owaisi to travel to campaign. Islamists are now focusing their attention on Madhvi. According to the article, she was allegedly detained in 2023 for making offensive remarks about Muslims. This incident is used as just another illustration of the BJP’s systematic anti-Muslim statements and deeds. The piece uses this to emphasise its tale of tyranny and to support its urge for violent retaliation.
ISIS’s threats and calls for violence
In their piece, ISIS has dog-whistled that Muslims are being persecuted in India and the surrounding regions. The statement stated that the animosity between Islam and the polytheists and cow-worshipping morons in India is unstoppable and that Pharaoh’s and the BJP party’s animosity towards the Bani Israel is the same. Approximately 220 million Muslims live under servitude and subjection to Hindus in India today, experiencing horrific and barbaric nights.
ISIS encouraged Muslims to commit violent crimes against non-Muslims in India. The post advocated for bombings, assassinations, and other acts of terrorism, portraying them as a religious responsibility to exact revenge for alleged wrongs committed against the Muslim community. In addition to calling for attacks against Hindu temples, public spaces, and political figures, the article praises violent jihad and promotes the burning of idols and the execution of people it considers to be enemies of Islam.
The potentially deadly ramifications of ISIS’s demands for genocide
Given that the magazine is extensively shared on social media sites like Facebook and Telegram channels, the piece presents a serious risk to India’s national security. It can spur both organised and lone-wolf acts of terrorism by spreading violence and offering intellectual support for terrorist deeds. The deliberate targeting of popular individuals, religious places, and political leaders raises the possibility of high-profile strikes that propagate terror and instability.
When faced with such threats, the government must act appropriately. The Voice of Khurasan piece makes evident the dangers that India is facing. Urgent and forceful counterterrorism measures are required to protect national security in light of the explicit threats made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nupur Sharma, Madhvi Latha Kompella, and attacks on places of worship, in addition to the general call for violence against non-Muslims.
