In a recent incident that has reignited debates over the treatment of Muslims in India, a High Court judge referred to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as "Pakistan" during a court hearing. This remark is not just an isolated case of insensitivity but part of a broader, more troubling pattern of systemic discrimination and alienation faced by Muslims in India. For many Indian Muslims, this episode is yet another reminder that they are often treated as second-class citizens in the land of their birth. From being labeled as terrorists to being denied equal protection under the law, the growing sense of exclusion is palpable. The perception that Muslims are outsiders, or somehow less loyal to India, has gained alarming traction in both political and social spheres. The judge's comment exemplifies how institutionalized racism and Islamophobia have seeped into the highest echelons of India's judicial and political systems. The underlying message is clear: Muslims are not fully Indian, and their loyalty to the nation is perpetually in question. This type of rhetoric has become all too common in India, where public figures often make such remarks without fear of serious consequences. With rising Hindu nationalism, Muslims have increasingly been cast as "the enemy within," echoing age-old stereotypes that portray them as a threat to national unity and security. This narrative not only dehumanizes Muslims but also fosters an environment where discriminatory policies and actions against them are normalized. Muslims are frequently portrayed as criminals or terrorists in public discourse, an image that is amplified by a government that often seems to turn a blind eye—or even endorse—such portrayals. In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in instances where Muslims have been targeted for extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, or mob lynchings, with little or no action taken against the perpetrators. One of the most visible symptoms of this marginalization is the practice of illegally demolishing dwellings in Muslim-majority regions, which is frequently carried out under the pretense of maintaining "law and order." These demolitions are rarely challenged in court and are regarded as an effective means of displacing and silencing a vulnerable group. The message from the state is clear: the rights and property of Muslims are expendable. In a country where the rule of law is supposed to protect the weak and ensure justice, the Muslim community has come to expect little in the way of state protection. Whether it's the failure to take action against those who incite violence or the active involvement of state machinery in discriminatory practices, the Muslim community has ample reason to feel abandoned by the very institutions meant to safeguard their rights. With such systemic discrimination entrenched in both state and society, the notion of equality for Muslims in India often feels like a distant dream. Despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights for all citizens, the reality for Indian Muslims is starkly different. They face higher rates of unemployment, limited access to education, and are often excluded from political decision-making. Moreover, the judiciary, which is supposed to be the last bastion of impartial justice, has increasingly become a site of prejudice and bias. The recent comments by the Karnataka High Court judge serve as a grim reminder that even in the courtroom, where fairness and equality should prevail, Muslims are still viewed through a lens of suspicion and hostility. The ongoing marginalization of Muslims in India points to a deeper crisis of citizenship. While India prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy, the exclusion of a significant portion of its population from full participation in national life undermines this claim. When a community is systematically targeted, whether through communal violence, discriminatory laws, or biased judicial rulings, their sense of belonging is inevitably eroded. The treatment of Muslims in India is not just an issue of communal tensions—it’s a fundamental violation of the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. By denying Muslims the protections afforded to other citizens, the state is effectively sending a message that they do not deserve the same rights as everyone else. For many Indian Muslims, the future looks uncertain. With rising intolerance and a government that seems unwilling to address their grievances, the community finds itself at a crossroads. While some continue to hold on to the promise of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution, others have lost faith in a system that consistently fails them. As incidents like the one involving the Karnataka High Court judge continue to unfold, the question remains: how long can India, as a democracy, sustain itself while systematically excluding a significant portion of its population? Until the state and society address the deep-seated prejudices against Muslims, the promise of equality in India will remain unfulfilled, leaving the Muslim community with little hope of finding true justice in their own country.