Hate Speech Against Indian Minorities, Especially Muslims, Increases By 74%

According to the“India Hate Lab” report, incidents of hate speech peaked during last year's national elections in India. The institute stated that in 2024, it recorded 1,165 cases of what it defines as hate speech, up from 668 cases in the previous year.

The report highlighted that hate speech incidents were often seen at Political rallies, religious events, protest marches, and cultural gatherings. It pointed out that the 2024 general elections played a significant role in exacerbating such speech compared to 2023.

The report was released just days before the highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have accused Modi's government of mistreating minorities in India.

The Modi government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied these accusations, asserting that their policies benefit all people of India. The report also noted that one-third of the hate speech incidents occurred during the competitive election period.

The research group mentioned Modi's controversial remarks in April, where he referred to Muslims as“infiltrators” and stated that they“have more children.” According to the report, 80% of the hate speech incidents in 2024 occurred in states controlled by Modi's party and its allies.

In response to the report's findings, the BJP accused the research organization of providing a biased portrayal of India. Human rights activists have pointed to issues such as the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, which the UN labeled“fundamentally discriminatory,” as well as laws that challenge the constitutional right to religious freedom.

Activists have also condemned the destruction of Muslim-owned properties, which Indian authorities declared illegal, and the ban on wearing hijabs in educational institutions in Karnataka as discriminatory.

The India Hate Lab's report defines hate speech based on UN criteria, which includes discriminatory or prejudiced statements against individuals or groups based on religion, ethnicity, race, or gender. The findings underscore growing concerns about the treatment of minorities in India, especially in the context of rising political and social tensions.

MENAFN11022025000228011069ID1109192295