Instances of hate speech against minorities across India skyrocketed by 74% in 2024, particularly during the national elections, according to a recent report from the Washington-based India Hate Lab. Released on Monday, the report documented a staggering 1,165 incidents of hate speech last year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah cited as two of the most frequent instigators.
Muslims were overwhelmingly affected, with a shocking 98.5% of these reported incidents directed towards them. The analysis indicated that most events featuring hate speech occurred in regions governed by Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its larger political alliances. The BJP has faced persistent claims of discrimination against minority communities, particularly Muslims, but has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
Despite widespread calls for accountability, the BJP continues to maintain its position that India's legal framework robustly protects against such divisive narratives. On Tuesday, national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill contended that there is no need for validation from what he termed an "anti-India reports industry."
However, the election campaign last year was marked by accusations against the prime minister for employing polarizing language against Muslims. In one notable instance, the Election Commission mandated the BJP to take down a social media post deemed inflammatory towards Muslims.
Moreover, the India Hate Lab's report highlighted that May 2024 witnessed the highest number of hate speech incidents, totaling 269. While Christians also faced hate speech, the extent was markedly less than that directed at Muslims. Rights organizations have long pointed out that minorities—especially Muslims—have experienced heightened levels of discrimination since Modi's administration took power in 2014.
The report emphasized that hate speech frequently emerged during political gatherings, religious events, and cultural functions, with a staggering 79.9% of hate speech incidents occurring in BJP-led states. Three key BJP-ruled states— Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh—accounted for nearly half of all documented incidents. Disturbingly, the report documented a dramatic 580% increase in events organized by BJP officials that fostered hate speech in 2024.
The findings also highlighted a troubling increase in calls for violence against Muslims. These included alarming calls to arms, economic boycotts against Muslim-owned businesses, and threats of destruction against Muslim property and places of worship—escalating the already tense atmosphere surrounding minority communities in India.
Muslims were overwhelmingly affected, with a shocking 98.5% of these reported incidents directed towards them. The analysis indicated that most events featuring hate speech occurred in regions governed by Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its larger political alliances. The BJP has faced persistent claims of discrimination against minority communities, particularly Muslims, but has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
Despite widespread calls for accountability, the BJP continues to maintain its position that India's legal framework robustly protects against such divisive narratives. On Tuesday, national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill contended that there is no need for validation from what he termed an "anti-India reports industry."
However, the election campaign last year was marked by accusations against the prime minister for employing polarizing language against Muslims. In one notable instance, the Election Commission mandated the BJP to take down a social media post deemed inflammatory towards Muslims.
Moreover, the India Hate Lab's report highlighted that May 2024 witnessed the highest number of hate speech incidents, totaling 269. While Christians also faced hate speech, the extent was markedly less than that directed at Muslims. Rights organizations have long pointed out that minorities—especially Muslims—have experienced heightened levels of discrimination since Modi's administration took power in 2014.
The report emphasized that hate speech frequently emerged during political gatherings, religious events, and cultural functions, with a staggering 79.9% of hate speech incidents occurring in BJP-led states. Three key BJP-ruled states— Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh—accounted for nearly half of all documented incidents. Disturbingly, the report documented a dramatic 580% increase in events organized by BJP officials that fostered hate speech in 2024.
The findings also highlighted a troubling increase in calls for violence against Muslims. These included alarming calls to arms, economic boycotts against Muslim-owned businesses, and threats of destruction against Muslim property and places of worship—escalating the already tense atmosphere surrounding minority communities in India.
