A new report by the Washington-based India Hate Lab has revealed a sharp rise in hate speech targeting religious minorities in India, with incidents increasing by 74% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The report found that 98% of these incidents targeted Muslims, either explicitly or alongside Christians. It links the surge in hate speech to the ideological ambitions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its broader Hindu nationalist movement.
According to the report, BJP leaders were responsible for organizing around 30% of last year’s hate speech events, marking a six-fold increase from the previous year. The number of hate speeches delivered by BJP members rose by 350%, with many occurring during the general election campaign. Modi himself has faced accusations of making Islamophobic remarks in campaign speeches, further fueling tensions.
The report highlights several policy moves under Modi’s leadership that have contributed to the marginalization of religious minorities. These include the rewriting of textbooks to downplay Islamic history, renaming cities with Mughal-era names, and the demolition of Muslim properties under government orders. Additionally, the controversial 2019 citizenship law that excluded Muslim migrants and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special autonomy have been cited as examples of systematic discrimination.
The BJP has dismissed the report, with party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill calling it an attempt to “malign India’s image.” He asserted that India has a strong legal system designed to maintain peace and order. However, legal experts argue that hate speech has proliferated due to the judiciary’s reluctance to enforce existing laws that criminalize religious discrimination and incitement to violence.
The India Hate Lab, which operates under the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, defines hate speech using the United Nations framework. The report warns that without stronger legal enforcement and political accountability, India’s secular fabric may continue to erode, putting its religious minorities at greater risk of persecution.