By The South Asia Times

NEW DELHI – Student leaders have accused Indian authorities of launching a targeted intimidation campaign against Muslim students, alleging that police are visiting the families of activists involved in recent protests to pressure them into silence.

Student activist Neha, national president of the All India Students' Association (AISA), wrote on X that Madhya Pradesh police visited the village of Danish Ali, Joint Secretary of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), on Saturday, allegedly to "intimidate her family" .

"End the targeted harassment of Muslim students! @BJP4India seems eager for a repeat lesson on students' unity!" Neha wrote, referencing the broader student movement that has challenged the government's education policies.

The allegations come amid a pattern of police actions against Muslim students that human rights groups have described as "disproportionate targeting" of the community . In a video circulating on social media, a Muslim woman student claims police visited her village and pressured villagers to provide her parents' contact numbers, stating that an inquiry had been launched against her over participation in student protests.

- Escalating student crackdown

Danish Ali was among 14 students arrested in February 2026 after a JNUSU "Long March" to the Ministry of Education turned violent, with police alleging protesters injured 25 personnel. Students have accused police of using excessive force, with JNUSU claiming some detainees suffered injuries and were denied medical care.

Police confirmed that an FIR was registered against the protesters under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including obstructing public servants and causing hurt.

Student leaders have been among those detained without charge under India's counterterrorism law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, with several activists spending years in prison without trial, according to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2026.

- A broader pattern of targeting

Rights groups have documented numerous cases of police harassment and intimidation of Muslims under the BJP-led government. These include cases of sedition charges against schoolchildren for a play allegedly critical of the government's citizenship law, forced questioning of Muslim students over cricket celebrations, and mob attacks with delayed police response.

The Human Rights Watch World Report 2026 described India's continued slide toward authoritarianism under the Hindu nationalist BJP-led government, with "increased vilification of Muslims and government critics