Bhoot (ghost)
The belief in ghosts is deeply ingrained in the minds of the people of India across generations. The various concepts of ghosts trace their roots in the vast bodies of Hindu mythology, its religious texts, literature and folktales. There are many allegedly haunted places in India, such as cremation grounds, dilapidated buildings, royal mansions, forts, forest bungalows, burning ghats, etc... Ghosts also occupy a significant place in the Bengali culture. Ghosts and various supernatural entities form an integral part of the socio-cultural beliefs of the both Hindu and Muslim communities of rural Bengal. Fairy tales often use the concept of ghost and references to paranormal activities are found amply in modern-day Bengali literature, cinema, radio and TV programmes.
Islam in India
India's Constitution and Parliament have protected the rights of Muslims but, under the Bharatiya Janata Party, Modi ministry, there has been a growth in 'climate of fear' and 'targeting of dissenters', affecting the feelings of security and tolerance amongst Indian Muslims.
Considerable controversy exists both in scholarly and public opinion about the conversions to Islam typically represented by the following schools of thought: