New Delhi: Hate speech targeting India’s religious minorities has seen a “staggering” rise, with the number of incidents increasing by 74% in 2024, according to a new report from the Washington-based research group India Hate Lab. The report revealed that 1,165 hate speech incidents were recorded in 2024, up from 668 the previous year, with a significant majority (98%) directed at Muslims, sometimes alongside Christians.
The research ties the sharp rise in hate speech to the ideological objectives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement. It notes that Modi’s government has been accused of stoking religious tensions and violence against Muslims and other minorities since taking power over a decade ago. Critics claim the BJP aims to turn India, a constitutionally secular nation, into a Hindu homeland, marginalizing religious minorities.
The report highlighted that hate speech last year often portrayed Muslims and Christians as “outsiders” or “invaders,” reinforcing long-standing Hindu nationalist views. The BJP was found to have organized 30% of the hate speech events, a sharp increase from the previous year, with party leaders delivering 452 hate speeches, a rise of 350%.
In response, BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill rejected the report, calling it an attempt to tarnish India’s image, insisting that India’s legal system is robust and upholds peace and non-violence. Despite the government’s position, the report reveals a clear trend of growing hate speech tied to rising nationalist rhetoric.
Experts point out the failure of India’s judiciary to address the issue effectively, despite existing laws prohibiting hate speech. The India Hate Lab continues to document these troubling developments in the world’s largest democracy.
Read Also: