‘Hindu supremacy’ is “the greatest threat” to religious freedom in India since the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, according to a prominent Indian journalist.

Speaking at the International Religious Freedom Summit, Arfa Khanum Sherwani said the “ideology that is responsible for the assassination of Gandhi… is ruling India right now”.

He called rising anti-Muslim violence a “state persecution of Indian Muslims”.

Another session featured Nadine Maenza who said: “We see Hindu nationalists in coordination with the controlling BJP government, targeting ‘the Other,’ including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and other religious and ethnic minorities”.

“The hate speech and religiously discriminatory policies and laws have led to violent attacks, including sexual violence against minorities within communities,” said Maenza.